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Difficulty: EasyPharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

An order is written for liquid acetaminophen at 15 mg/kg15 \text{ mg/kg} per dose for a toddler who weighs 16 kg16 \text{ kg}. The medication bottle is labeled 160 mg/5 mL160 \text{ mg}/5 \text{ mL}. Calculate the total volume in mL\text{mL} that should be administered for a single dose. (Record your answer to one decimal place.)

Answer: 7.5 mL

Answer

7.5
The correct dose is found in two steps. First, find the total mg needed by multiplying the toddler's weight (16 kg16 \text{ kg}) by the prescribed amount (15 mg/kg15 \text{ mg/kg}), which equals 240 mg240 \text{ mg}. Second, use the concentration of the liquid medication to find the volume. Dividing the desired dose (240 mg240 \text{ mg}) by the on-hand dose (160 mg160 \text{ mg}) and multiplying by the volume (5 mL5 \text{ mL}) yields exactly 7.5 mL7.5 \text{ mL}.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Calculate the total required dose in milligrams.
16 kg×15 mg/kg=240 mg16 \text{ kg} \times 15 \text{ mg/kg} = 240 \text{ mg}
The prescription is weight-based, meaning the patient's exact weight must be multiplied by the prescribed weight-based dosage.
2
Determine the required liquid volume using the supplied medication concentration.
(240 mg/160 mg)×5 mL=7.5 mL(240 \text{ mg} / 160 \text{ mg}) \times 5 \text{ mL} = 7.5 \text{ mL}
Using the standard formula (Desired Dose / Available Dose) × Available Volume, the calculated milligram requirement is converted into the volume to be administered.

Key Concept

Weight-based pediatric dosage calculation
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Topics

Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

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