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Difficulty: MediumPharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

A nurse is preparing to administer amoxicillin oral suspension to a pediatric client diagnosed with acute otitis media. The prescription states: amoxicillin 45 mg/kg/day45 \text{ mg/kg/day} orally, divided into equal doses to be administered every 1212 hours. The client's weight is 44 lb44 \text{ lb}. The pharmacy provides amoxicillin suspension with a concentration of 400 mg/5 mL400 \text{ mg}/5 \text{ mL}. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Record your answer using one decimal place.)

Answer: 5.6 mL

Answer

5.6
The correct volume is determined by first converting the child's weight to kilograms (44 lb÷2.2=20 kg44 \text{ lb} \div 2.2 = 20 \text{ kg}). The total daily dose is calculated by multiplying the weight by the prescribed dosage (20 kg×45 mg/kg/day=900 mg/day20 \text{ kg} \times 45 \text{ mg/kg/day} = 900 \text{ mg/day}). Because the medication is ordered every 1212 hours, the daily dose is divided by 22 to find the individual dose (900 mg÷2=450 mg/dose900 \text{ mg} \div 2 = 450 \text{ mg/dose}). Finally, the liquid volume is calculated using the available concentration: 450 mg400 mg×5 mL=5.625 mL\frac{450 \text{ mg}}{400 \text{ mg}} \times 5 \text{ mL} = 5.625 \text{ mL}. Rounding to the nearest tenth yields 5.6 mL5.6 \text{ mL}.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Convert the client's weight from pounds to kilograms
44 lb÷2.2 lb/kg=20 kg44 \text{ lb} \div 2.2 \text{ lb/kg} = 20 \text{ kg}
The prescribed medication dose is weight-based in kilograms, so an accurate conversion is the necessary first step.
2
Calculate the total daily dose
20 kg×45 mg/kg/day=900 mg/day20 \text{ kg} \times 45 \text{ mg/kg/day} = 900 \text{ mg/day}
This determines the total amount of active medication the client needs to receive over a 24-hour period.
3
Calculate the amount per individual dose
900 mg/day÷2 doses=450 mg/dose900 \text{ mg/day} \div 2 \text{ doses} = 450 \text{ mg/dose}
Because the medication is ordered to be given every 12 hours, the total daily dose must be divided into 2 equal administrations.
4
Calculate the liquid volume needed per dose
450 mg400 mg×5 mL=5.625 mL\frac{450 \text{ mg}}{400 \text{ mg}} \times 5 \text{ mL} = 5.625 \text{ mL}
This dimensional analysis determines how many milliliters of the supplied concentration contain the required 450 mg.
5
Round the final answer
5.6 mL5.6 \text{ mL}
Standard clinical calculation rules and the question instructions require rounding to the nearest tenth (one decimal place).

Key Concept

Pediatric weight-based dosage calculation and liquid medication administration
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Topics

Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

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