North Carolina Medication Aide (Med Tech) Practice Exam

How much Milk of Magnesia would you administer at bedtime, given the order is for 2 tablespoons?

1. 15 ml

2. 30 ml

3. 20 ml

4. 10 ml

The correct answer is: 20 ml

The correct amount to administer is 30 ml. To understand this, it's important to note that a tablespoon is a common measurement used in dosing medications. In metric equivalents, 1 tablespoon (tbsp) is approximately equal to 15 milliliters (ml). Therefore, if the order is for 2 tablespoons, you would calculate the total volume by multiplying the number of tablespoons by the conversion factor: 2 tablespoons x 15 ml/tablespoon = 30 ml. This conversion is a standard practice in medication administration to ensure accurate dosing when moving between different measurement systems. The incorrect options stem from misunderstandings in conversion or incorrect multiplication of the tablespoon measurement. Always remember to verify measurement conversions, especially in medication administration, to ensure patient safety and efficacy of treatment.