NIH Principles of Clinical Pharmacology

Case Study: Practice with Prescriptions

Case

Part 1: You are a pediatrician working at the Principles of Clinical Pharmacology Clinic. After an
evaluation and work-up of your patient, you diagnose him with bacterial conjunctivitis. You write a
prescription for acetaminophen as needed for pain. Based on the following information and the
abbreviations provided in the lecture, please write a prescription for erythromycin ophthalmic ointment
using the blank prescription.

Patient Information Erythromycin Information

Name: Charlie Brown Erythromycin ophth ointment 5 mg/g
Age: 5 years old Apply a 0.5 inch ribbon of ointment to the
Weight: 18.6 kg inside of the lower lid of the right eye four
Address: 9876 Pharmacology Lane times daily for 5 to 7 days
Pharmacology Land, MN 12345
Diagnosis: bacterial conjunctivitis (right eye); pain

Principles of Clinical Pharmacology Clinic

Dr. PCP Practitioner
DEA #1234567 Lic#98765ABC

1234 Pharmacology Road

Pharmacology Land, MN 12345
Telephone: (123) 456-7890

Name ______________________________ Age _____________

Address _____________________________Date _____________

Refill _________times PRN NR

__________________________________________________MD
Part 2: Based on the prescription for acetaminophen below, what administration instructions should you
provide to the caregiver?

Principles of Clinical Pharmacology Clinic

Dr. PCP Practitioner
DEA #1234567 Lic#98765ABC

1234 Pharmacology Road

Pharmacology Land, MN 12345
Telephone: (123) 456-7890

Charlie Brown
Name ______________________________ 5 years
Age _____________
9876 Pharmacology Lane
Address _____________________________Date 10/1/2019
_____________

Weight: 18.6kg

Acetaminophen oral soln 160mg/5mL

10mg/kg/dose PO Q4-6hr PRN pain

Dispense: 4 oz (dispense with oral syringe)

Refill _________times PRN NR

Dr. PCP Practitioner

__________________________________________________MD
Answer

Part 1: See complete prescription below. The prescription should include the following: name of patient;
date of birth or age; weight; name, strength, and quantity of drug; sig; refills; and prescriber signature.
Abbreviations: kg=kilograms; mg=milligrams; g=grams; ophth=ophthalmic; oint=ointment;
sig=directions; OD=right eye; QS=quantity sufficient; NR=no refills.

Principles of Clinical Pharmacology Clinic

Dr. PCP Practitioner
DEA #1234567 Lic#98765ABC

1234 Pharmacology Road

Pharmacology Land, MN 12345
Telephone: (123) 456-7890

Charlie Brown
Name ______________________________ 5 years
Age _____________
9876 Pharmacology Lane
Address _____________________________Date 10/1/2019
_____________

Weight: 18.6kg

Erythromycin ophth oint 5 mg/g

Sig: Apply a 0.5 inch ribbon of ointment to the

inside of the lower lid OD four times daily x 5-7
days

Dispense: 1 tube QS

Refill _________times PRN NR

Dr. PCP Practitioner

__________________________________________________MD

Part 2: First understand the abbreviations used in the prescription: kg=kilogram; soln=solution;
mg=milligram; mL=milliliters; PO=oral; Q=every; hr=hour; PRN=as needed; oz=ounces; NR=no refills

Next, determine the dose (in mg). The ordered dose is 10mg/kg/dose ∙ 18.6kg = 186mg/dose.

Then, determine the volume (in mL) based on the dose and provided concentration. 186mg/dose ∙
5mL/160mg = 5.8mL/dose

The caregiver should be given the instructions to administer 5.8mL by mouth every 4 to 6 hours only if
needed for pain. The caregiver should be provided an oral syringe with mL markings.