A toddler weighing 35.2 lb is prescribed oral acetaminophen 15 mg/kg every 4 hours as need… — NCLEX-PN

A toddler weighing $35.2$ lb is prescribed oral acetaminophen $15$ mg/kg every $4$ hours as needed for fever. The medication available is an oral suspension with a concentration of $160$ mg/ $5$ mL. How many milliliters should the practical nurse administer for one dose? (Record answer to the nearest tenth. Do not include units in answer.)

Answer: 7.5 mL

Answer

7.5

The calculation requires three clinical math steps: first converting the client's weight to kilograms (

35.2 \div 2.2 = 16

kg), determining the weight-based dose (

16 \times 15 = 240

mg), and then calculating the liquid volume using the available concentration of

160

mg per

5

mL (

\frac{240}{160} \times 5 = 7.5

mL). The correct final amount to administer is

7.5

mL.

Step-by-Step Solution

Convert the child's weight from pounds (lb) to kilograms (kg).

16

The medication dosage is prescribed in mg/kg, requiring the client's weight to be converted using the factor

1

kg =

2.2

lb (

35.2 \div 2.2 = 16

Calculate the total required dose in milligrams (mg).

240

Multiply the weight in kilograms by the prescribed dosage amount (

16 \text{ kg} \times 15 \text{ mg/kg} = 240 \text{ mg}

Calculate the volume of liquid to administer in milliliters (mL).

7.5

Use the formula: (Desired / Have) × Quantity. Here, (

\frac{240 \text{ mg}}{160 \text{ mg}}

) ×

5 \text{ mL} = 1.5 \times 5 \text{ mL} = 7.5 \text{ mL}

Key Concept

Weight-based pediatric dosage calculation and liquid medication volume computation

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