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Difficulty: MediumPharmacological Therapies

A practical nurse is preparing to administer a prescribed dose of oral amoxicillin suspension to a pediatric client who weighs 14 kg14 \text{ kg}. The provider's prescription states: amoxicillin 40 mg/kg/day40 \text{ mg/kg/day} by mouth divided into two equal doses every 1212 hours. The pharmacy dispenses amoxicillin suspension at a concentration of 250 mg/5 mL250 \text{ mg}/5 \text{ mL}. How many mL\text{mL} should the nurse administer per dose? (Record your answer to the nearest tenth. Do not include units in your answer.)

Answer: 5.6 mL

Answer

The nurse should administer 5.6 mL per dose.
To ensure safe medication administration, the nurse must accurately convert the prescribed weight-based parameter into a measurable fluid volume. By calculating the total daily dose (560 mg560 \text{ mg}), dividing it into the specified two doses (280 mg280 \text{ mg} each), and applying the concentration formula (DesiredHave×Volume\frac{\text{Desired}}{\text{Have}} \times \text{Volume}), the correct verifiable dose is 5.6 mL5.6 \text{ mL}.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine the total daily dose in milligrams based on the client's weight.
14 kg×40 mg/kg=560 mg/day14 \text{ kg} \times 40 \text{ mg/kg} = 560 \text{ mg/day}
Weight-based prescriptions require calculating the total 24-hour medication allowance before determining individual dose amounts.
2
Determine the individual dose amount in milligrams.
560 mg÷2=280 mg/dose560 \text{ mg} \div 2 = 280 \text{ mg/dose}
The prescription specifies that the total daily amount must be divided into two equal doses administered every 12 hours.
3
Calculate the liquid volume to administer per dose using the supplied concentration.
(280 mg250 mg)×5 mL=5.6 mL(\frac{280 \text{ mg}}{250 \text{ mg}}) \times 5 \text{ mL} = 5.6 \text{ mL}
This converts the required milligram dose into the measurable milliliter volume provided by the pharmacy.

Key Concept

Weight-Based Pediatric Dosage Calculation
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Topics

Pharmacological Therapies

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