Florida Pharmacy Technician Certification Practice Test

How many milliliters of medication are needed for ear drops that require 2 drops in each ear twice a day for 9 days?

1. 5 ml

2. 15 ml

3. 30 ml

4. 60 ml

The correct answer is: 60 ml

To determine the correct amount of medication needed for ear drops, it's important to first calculate the total number of drops required over the specified time period. The regimen indicates administering 2 drops in each ear, which totals 4 drops per application (2 drops per ear x 2 ears). Given that this is done twice a day, each day would involve administering 8 drops (4 drops per application x 2 applications per day). Over a 9-day period, the total drops required would be: 8 drops/day x 9 days = 72 drops. Next, you need to know how many drops comprise a milliliter (this can vary based on the dropper used, but a common estimate is approximately 20 drops per milliliter). Using this estimate, we can convert the total drops into milliliters: 72 drops ÷ 20 drops/ml = 3.6 ml. However, the question relies on ensuring validation against typical bottle sizes where the ear drops might be available, as well as preparing for any potential wastage or extra doses that may need to be covered. In many pharmacy contexts, it’s customary to round up to the nearest bottle size to ensure adequacy. Considering more generous estimates for safety and