Multi-Route Prescribing Rationale — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardSyringe Driver & Drug CompatibilityMulti-Route Prescribing RationaleSCE Palliative Medicine

A patient taking dexamethasone 8 mg orally each morning can no longer swallow. If the same corticosteroid effect is required and the Scottish oral-to-SC conversion is used, what SC dose is approximately equivalent?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — 6.6 mg

Four milligrams orally is approximately 3.3 mg SC, so 8 mg orally is approximately 6.6 mg SC. Eight milligrams would ignore the route conversion; the other values do not follow the published ratio. A dose of this size is normally given separately rather than added casually to a multi-drug CSCI.

Reference: Scottish Palliative Care Guidelines: Dexamethasone. https://www.rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/scottish-palliative-care-guidelines/medicines-information/dexamethasone/