SCH3U

Big Ideas of Unit #3: Quantities in chemical reactions

BIG IDEA: There are many processes going on in the home, the workplace and the environmental sector that involve the use of chemical quantities and calculations e.g. mixing household cleaning solutions, calculation of chemotherapy doses, etc.

Issue#1: Chemotherapy drugs can damage healthy cells in addition to cancerous cells, which can cause many side effects. The bodys healthy cells usually repair themselves after a period of rest from the chemotherapy. a) Explain what is chemotherapy?

b) Why it is important to calculate correctly and precisely chemotherapy doses?

Issue#2: Health care professionals are expected to calculate dosages of prescription drugs accurately and safely. This requires precision in applying fractions, decimals, ratios, percentages, and metric conversions. Despite the care taken by health care professionals, improper medication use by patients accounts for about 30% of hospital emergency department visits. 1. What is the difference between over the-counter drugs and prescription drugs?

2. Why do we need pharmacist to hand out prescription drugs?

3. Explain improper use of over-the-counter drugs and prescription drugs and its impacts on the society?

Related issues: Q1. Why is it important to use the correct salt-sand mix on highways during winter

storms?

Q.2. Why is it important to correctly measure the chemicals used in water treatment plants?

Case Study: Cats Have Nine Lives, But Only One Liver: The Effects of Acetaminophen
By:Brahmadeo Dewprashad Department of Science Borough of Manhattan Community College, The City University of New York Hi Mom, how are you? Michelle asked her mother over the phone. Im fine, is everything okay with you? You sound a bit down, said her mother. Its probably nothing, but Tabby doesnt seem quite right, Michelle replied. Whats the matter with him? Michelles mother asked anxiously. He wasnt looking very well, and it felt as if he had a fever. Remember I told you he had a swollen leg? Well, it seemed as though it was causing him pain. He seemed so miserable, and so I gave him half of a regular-strength Tylenol. He just doesnt seem right, Michelle blurted out. I saw a news item a month or so ago that said that Tylenol wasnt very safesomething about it not being good for the liver. I remember they said it was bad for humans in high doses. I dont think they mentioned anything about animals. But dont worry, Michelles mother reassured her. Cats are very toughthey have nine lives, you know. And besides, you only gave him half a tablet. Thanks, Mom. I better go now. Talk to you later, Michelle hurried off.

The conversation with her mother had made Michelle uneasy. Tabby seemed very sad, tired, and out of breath. Michelle decided that she would search the Internet for information about acetaminophen, the active ingredient of Tylenol. In particular, she wanted to know the safe dose for cats. She came across a 2003 article by someone named Steenbergen that alarmed her. It said that acetaminophen was particularly toxic for cats and that no dose was considered safe. Immediately, Michelle scooped Tabby up, loaded him in his carrier, and sprinted over to the vet. Luckily, the vet had a practice only a few blocks away. Michelle was able to see the vet soon after she got there. She explained what had happened. The vet told her not to worry. He took the cat into his examination room and invited Michelle in. She

noticed that he administered oxygen to the cat and took a blood sample. It was too much for Michelle! She stepped out of the examination room and sat anxiously in the waiting room. After a while, the vet came out. Why dont you go home and have some rest, he said. Ive given Tabby an antidote. Well call you tomorrow and let you know how Tabby responds to the antidote and supportive care. Is Tabby going to be okay? Michelle asked. With continued therapy and nursing care, Tabby has a good chance of overcoming the effects of the poisoning, the veterinarian told her. Michelle could not bear to go home directly. She went to the campus library intending to study for her organic chemistry exam on reaction mechanisms the next morning, but she couldnt focus. She kept worrying about Tabby. She decided to learn some more about the liver toxicity of Tylenol before she started studying. Question: Explain how above case study is related to big idea of this unit:

Read label information of TYLENOL attached and answer the following questions:

a. Name the main chemical ingredient of Tylenol:

b. If a person is taking 10 tablets in 24 hours, calculate over dosage of medicine in mg.

c. Explain side effect(s) that may happen due to over dosage of Tylenol.

TYLENOL ARTHRITIS PAIN (acetaminophen) tablet, film coated, extended release [McNeil Consumer Healthcare Div McNeil-PPC, Inc]
Drug Facts Active ingredient (in each caplet) Purpose

Acetaminophen 650 mg ..Pain reliever/fever reducer

Uses

temporarily relieves minor aches and pains due to:

o o o o o o o

arthritis the common cold headache toothache muscular aches backache menstrual cramps

temporarily reduces fever

Warnings

Liver warning
This product contains acetaminophen. Severe liver damage may occur if you take
more than 6 caplets in 24 hours, which is the maximum daily amount with other drugs containing acetaminophen 3 or more alcoholic drinks every day while using this product

Do not use with any other drug containing acetaminophen (prescription or nonprescription). If you are not sure whether a drug contains acetaminophen, ask a doctor or pharmacist. Ask a doctor before use if you have liver disease