A bottle contains 125 mL of insulin at a concentration of 50mg/mL. What is the total mass of insulin in the bottle?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
The total mass of insulin in the bottle is 6,250 mg.
Step-by-Step Explanation:
This is a dosage calculation problem where we are asked to find the total mass (in mg) of a medication (insulin) in a bottle. To do this, we multiply the volume of the solution by its concentration.
Given:
- Volume of the bottle = 125 mL
- Concentration of insulin = 50 mg/mL
Formula:
Total Mass (mg)=Volume (mL)×Concentration (mg/mL)\text{Total Mass (mg)} = \text{Volume (mL)} \times \text{Concentration (mg/mL)}
Calculation:
Total Mass=125 mL×50 mg/mL=6250 mg\text{Total Mass} = 125\ \text{mL} \times 50\ \text{mg/mL} = 6250\ \text{mg}
Explanation:
This calculation is based on the concept of dimensional analysis, where the units are arranged to cancel appropriately, leaving the desired unit — in this case, milligrams (mg).
The volume tells you how much liquid is in the bottle, and the concentration tells you how much drug is present in each milliliter of that liquid. So if each milliliter contains 50 mg of insulin, and there are 125 mL in the bottle, you simply multiply to find out the total mass of insulin available.
This type of calculation is critical in nursing practice and pharmacology, where precise dosage ensures patient safety. Giving too much or too little medication can lead to ineffective treatment or harmful side effects. Therefore, understanding how to perform this type of calculation accurately is a foundational skill for any healthcare professional.
In this case, the result is 6,250 mg, which represents the total mass of insulin available for dosing from this particular bottle.