A Doctor Disconnects The Intravenous Flow Of A Drug Into A P

A Doctor Disconnects The Intravenous Flow Of A Drug Into A Patients B

A doctor disconnects the intravenous flow of a drug into a patient’s body. After 2 hours, she measures the amount of drug in the patient’s body to be 180 mg. Later, 5 hours after disconnection, she measures 90 mg. Based on this information, we are asked to find a linear model L(t) and an exponential model E(t) for the drug amount as functions of time, graph these models, evaluate their initial values, interpret their meanings, estimate the drug's half-life, and analyze the rate of decay.

Paper For Above instruction

The process of modeling drug elimination from a patient's body involves understanding whether the decline in drug concentration follows a linear or exponential decay pattern. In clinical pharmacology, drug clearance frequently assumes an exponential decay model, but empirical verification is necessary through data and graphing.

Section 1: Finding the Linear Model L(t)

The linear model assumes the drug decreases at a constant rate, which can be represented as L(t) = mt + b, where m is the slope and b is the initial amount of drug at the time of disconnection (t=0). Using the given data points:

  • At t=2, L(2) = 180 mg
  • At t=5, L(5) = 90 mg

Calculating the slope:

= (L(5) - L(2)) / (5 - 2) = (90 - 180) / (3) = -90 / 3 = -30 mg/hour

Using point (2,180) to find b:

180 = -30(2) + b => b = 180 + 60 = 240 mg

Hence, the linear model is:

L(t) = -30t + 240

Section 2: Finding the Exponential Model E(t)

The exponential decay model assumes the form E(t) = A e^{kt}. We know:

  • E(2) = 180
  • E(5) = 90

The initial amount A is the amount at time zero; since disconnection occurs at t=0, the initial amount is E(0) = A.

Using the data points to determine A and k, divide the two measurements:

E(5) / E(2) = (A e^{k \times 5}) / (A e^{k \times 2}) = e^{k (5 - 2)} = e^{3k} = 90 / 180 = 0.5

Taking natural logs:

ln(e^{3k}) = ln(0.5) => 3k = ln(0.5) => k = (1/3) \times ln(0.5)

Since ln(0.5) = -0.6931, then:

k = -0.6931 / 3 ≈ -0.2310

Using E(2) = 180:

180 = A e^{k \times 2} => A = 180 / e^{2k}

Calculate e^{2k} = e^{2 \times -0.2310} = e^{-0.4620} ≈ 0.629

Therefore, A ≈ 180 / 0.629 ≈ 286.33 mg.

The exponential model is:

E(t) = 286.33 e^{-0.231 t}

Section 3: Graphing the Models

Plotting both L(t) = -30t + 240 and E(t) = 286.33 e^{-0.231t} on the same axes over a suitable time interval (e.g., 0 to 7 hours) illustrates differences in the models’ decay patterns. Graphing software like Graph(PC) or Grapher (Mac) clearly shows the linear decline versus the exponential decay, with the exponential curve approaching zero asymptotically.

Section 4: Initial Values and Their Significance

Evaluating L(0) and E(0):

  • L(0) = -30(0) + 240 = 240 mg
  • E(0) = 286.33 e^{0} = 286.33 mg

These initial values represent the estimated amount of drug immediately after disconnection. The difference indicates that the linear model assumes a starting point of 240 mg, whereas the exponential model estimates about 286.33 mg. Since the initial measurement at disconnection was unknown but the model's intercepts differ, these initial values serve as approximation points. They are not identical because the models operate on different assumptions: the linear model assumes a constant rate of decrease, while the exponential model assumes proportional decay, resulting in different initial estimates.

Section 5: Values at t=10 and Model Implications

Calculating L(10) = -30(10) + 240 = -300 + 240 = -60 mg. Since negative drug amount isn't physically meaningful, this indicates the linear model overestimates the decline and is invalid beyond certain points.

Calculating E(10) = 286.33 e^{-0.231 \times 10} = 286.33 e^{-2.31} ≈ 286.33 \times 0.099 = 28.34 mg. This value suggests the exponential model predicts that after 10 hours, the drug concentration reduces to approximately 28.34 mg, which is more plausible biologically.

Thus, the exponential model more accurately reflects the drug’s decay over longer periods, as it approaches zero asymptotically, whereas the linear model becomes nonsensical as quantities turn negative.

Section 6: Estimating and Calculating Half-life of E(t)

The half-life is the time for the drug to decrease by half. At t=2, it is 180 mg; the next half-life reduces it to approximately 90 mg, which corresponds exactly to the measurement at 5 hours.

Alternatively, from the exponential model:

E(t) = A e^{kt}

The half-life, t_{1/2}, satisfies:

0.5A = A e^{k t_{1/2}} => 0.5 = e^{k t_{1/2}}

Taking natural log:

ln(0.5) = k t_{1/2} => t_{1/2} = ln(0.5) / k ≈ -0.6931 / -0.2310 ≈ 3.0 hours

This calculation aligns with observations that the drug halves approximately every 3 hours, confirming the model’s accuracy.

Section 7: Hourly Percent Decay

The percent decay per hour can be derived from the exponential model:

Percent decay = (1 - e^{k}) \times 100%

Using k ≈ -0.2310:

Percent decay ≈ (1 - e^{-0.2310}) \times 100% ≈ (1 - 0.793) \times 100% ≈ 20.7%

Thus, approximately 20.7% of the drug is eliminated each hour.

Section 8: Estimating the Rate of Change on the Graph

The change per unit time, ΔL/Δt for the linear model is constant: -30 mg/hour.

For the exponential model, E(t), the rate of change varies and can be estimated by examining the slope of E(t) on a specific interval. For example, on the interval [2,3], the change is:

E(3) - E(2) ≈ 286.33 e^{-0.231 \times 3} - 180 ≈ 286.33 e^{-0.693} - 180 ≈ 286.33 \times 0.5 - 180 ≈ 143.17 - 180 ≈ -36.83 mg

The average rate on this interval:

ΔE/Δt ≈ -36.83 / 1 ≈ -36.83 mg/hour

Similarly, on another interval near [4,5], the decrease would be around:

E(5) - E(4) ≈ 90 - 286.33 e^{-0.231 \times 4} ≈ 90 - 286.33 \times 0.404 ≈ 90 - 115.58 ≈ -25.58 mg

Indicating the rate of decline diminishes over time, as expected with exponential decay, unlike the steady linear decline.

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