What is the purpose of performing dose calculations in pharmacy?

Performing dose calculations in pharmacy is essential for ensuring safe and effective medication administration. Accurate calculations help pharmacists and technicians determine the correct amount of a medication that a patient should receive, which is critical for maximizing therapeutic benefits while minimizing the risk of adverse effects or overdosing. Each patient may have unique requirements based on factors such as weight, age, renal and hepatic function, and the specific condition being treated.

By employing precise calculation methods, pharmacy professionals can tailor medication dosages to individual patient needs. This aspect of pharmacy practice is fundamental in promoting patient safety and efficacy in treatment, ensuring that patients receive the right drug at the right dose.

The other options do not align with the primary reason for performing dose calculations. Increasing costs or reducing the number of medications prescribed does not address the essential goal of optimizing patient care, while improving patient satisfaction is a benefit that may arise from effective medication management rather than the primary purpose of dose calculations.