A practical nurse (PN) in a pediatric clinic is preparing to administer the first dose of … — NCLEX-PN

A practical nurse (PN) in a pediatric clinic is preparing to administer the first dose of oral amoxicillin to a toddler diagnosed with acute otitis media. The toddler weighs $33\text{ lbs}$ . The primary healthcare provider has prescribed $45\text{ mg/kg/day}$ of amoxicillin, to be administered in two equally divided doses every $12\text{ hours}$ . The clinic pharmacy dispenses amoxicillin oral suspension at a concentration of $250\text{ mg}/5\text{ mL}$ . How many milliliters ( $\text{mL}$ ) should the PN administer for this single dose? Record your answer to the nearest tenth. Do not include units in your answer.

Answer: 6.8 mL

Answer

6.8

To determine the correct dose, first convert the weight to kilograms (

33\text{ lbs} \div 2.2 = 15\text{ kg}

). Next, calculate the daily dose (

15\text{ kg} \times 45\text{ mg/kg} = 675\text{ mg/day}

). Divide by 2 for the single dose every 12 hours (

337.5\text{ mg/dose}

). Finally, use the desired-over-have formula:

(337.5\text{ mg} \div 250\text{ mg}) \times 5\text{ mL} = 6.75\text{ mL}

, which rounds up to

6.8\text{ mL}

Step-by-Step Solution

Convert the client's weight from pounds to kilograms.

15\text{ kg}

Weight-based dosing requires the body weight to be calculated in kilograms.

Calculate the total daily dose prescribed.

675\text{ mg/day}

The prescription is written as a total daily amount based on the child's weight.

Determine the amount for a single dose.

337.5\text{ mg/dose}

The medication is to be administered in two equally divided doses every 12 hours.

Calculate the liquid volume to administer for one dose.

6.75\text{ mL}

This calculation uses the available pharmacy concentration of

250\text{ mg}/5\text{ mL}

to find the required volume.

Round the final answer to the nearest tenth.

6.8\text{ mL}

Clinical calculations are typically rounded to the nearest tenth for volumes greater than

1\text{ mL}

to ensure safe and accurate measurement.

Key Concept

Pediatric Weight-Based Dosage Calculation

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