A provider requested 2% salicylic acid ointment. How many grams of a base ointment should be added to 60 g of 3% salicylic ointment to prepare the final product?

To find the amount of base ointment that needs to be added to the 60 g of 3% salicylic ointment, we'll use the following formula:

(C1)(V1) = (C2)(V2)

Where:
C1 = initial concentration of the solute (in this case, the salicylic acid) = 3%
V1 = initial volume of the solution (in this case, 60 g)
C2 = final concentration of the solute (in this case, 2%)
V2 = final volume of the solution (to be determined)

Let's solve for V2:

(3%)(60 g) = (2%)(V2)
(0.03)(60 g) = (0.02)(V2)
1.8 g = 0.02V2

Now, isolate V2:

V2 = 1.8 g / 0.02
V2 = 90 g

Therefore, you would need to add 90 grams of base ointment to the 60 g of 3% salicylic ointment to prepare the final product.