Mastering the Calculation of Active Ingredients in Pharmacy

Calculating active ingredients can often feel a bit like deciphering a code, right? But here we are, diving into a question that's crucial for any Ontario Registered Pharmacy Technician. Let’s break it down so you can feel confident when faced with similar questions on your upcoming exam.

Here's the scenario: You have a 125mL suspension of Cipro with a concentration of 5%. Now, the first thing you need to grasp is that 5% means there are 5 grams of the active ingredient in every 100 mL of the suspension. Sounds straightforward enough, doesn’t it? But wait, there's more!

To find out how much of that active ingredient is in your 125mL suspension, you’ll want to do a little math:

5% of 125mL translates to: (5/100) * 125 = 6.25 grams.

And voilà! You’ve found that your suspension contains 6.25 grams of the active ingredient. That makes option B the right answer!

Now, let’s take a quick glance at why the other options don’t quite make the cut:

• Option A (0.625g) isn’t correct because that would imply you’re only dealing with 0.5% of the total volume. Not quite what we’re looking for!

• Moving on to Option C (62.5g) — while it might sound hefty, that figure represents 50% of 125mL, and we know our focus is solely on 5%.

• Finally, Option D (60.25g) misses the mark as well, given it strays far from the calculated concentration we need to address.

Hopefully, this little exercise clarifies how to approach such questions effectively! But here’s the kicker: real-world pharmacy situations often require you to apply these calculations on the fly, especially when you're interacting with patients and ensuring accurate medication dosing.

So, as you prepare for the Ontario Registered Pharmacy Technician exam, remember that these calculations are not just theoretical; they have real-world implications. They can mean the difference between optimal patient care and potential medication errors.

And hey, if you've found this breakdown of Cipro's calculations helpful, consider giving yourself a little thumbs up! Each practice question you tackle not only boosts your skills but also builds confidence for the big day.

Now, whether you're studying late at night or squeezing in a session between classes, keep honing those mathematical skills. Because each calculation brings you one step closer to becoming a wizard at medication management in the pharmacy realm!