A client in an outpatient clinic has a new prescription for amoxicillin oral suspension 40… — NCLEX-PN

A client in an outpatient clinic has a new prescription for amoxicillin oral suspension $400\text{ mg}$ twice daily. The clinic stock contains amoxicillin in a concentration of $250\text{ mg} / 5\text{ mL}$ . How many mL will the practical nurse administer for a single dose? (Record the answer to the nearest whole number. Do not include units in the answer.)

Answer: 8 mL

Answer

The practical nurse uses the standard dosage calculation formula:

\frac{\text{Desired dose}}{\text{Available dose}} \times \text{Quantity}

. The prescribed dose is

400\text{ mg}

, and the available concentration is

250\text{ mg}

per

5\text{ mL}

. Plugging these values into the formula gives

\frac{400}{250} \times 5 = 1.6 \times 5 = 8\text{ mL}

. The nurse should administer

8\text{ mL}

for a single dose.

Step-by-Step Solution

Identify the prescribed (desired) dose.

400\text{ mg}

This is the amount of medication the provider has ordered for one dose.

Identify the concentration of the medication on hand (have) and the volume it comes in (quantity).

250\text{ mg}

per

5\text{ mL}

This determines the strength of the available liquid medication.

Apply the dosage calculation formula:

\frac{\text{Desired}}{\text{Have}} \times \text{Quantity}

\frac{400}{250} \times 5 = 8\text{ mL}

This calculation yields the exact volume needed to deliver the prescribed

400\text{ mg}

dose.

Key Concept

Dosage calculation for oral liquid medications

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