Vitamin D 6,000 international units oral every day is ordered. The vitamin D is supplied in 2,000-international-unit per capsule. How many capsules would the nurse administer with each dose?

When the ordered dose and available dose are in the same units (international units in this case), the calculation is straightforward: divide the desired dose by the strength of each capsule. Ordered: 6,000 international units. Available: 2,000 international units per capsule. Number of capsules = 6,000 ÷ 2,000 = 3 capsules. This is a clean division with no remainder, confirming 3 capsules as correct. Option 4 capsules would deliver 8,000 international units, which is 2,000 units above the ordered dose — an overdose. Option 2 capsules would deliver only 4,000 international units, which is 2,000 units short of the ordered dose — an underdose. Option 5 capsules would deliver 10,000 international units, which is a significant overdose. For solid oral medications like capsules or tablets, nurses should also apply the general safety rule that administering more than 3 tablets or capsules for a single dose warrants rechecking the order or the available supply, as this may indicate a calculation or supply error. Three capsules falls within the acceptable range.