What is the correct first dose in mg for a 3 year old child weighing 36 pounds if the recommended dose is 5 mg/kg/day in divided doses q8h?

Rationale

27 mg is the correct first dose for a 3-year-old child weighing 36 pounds.

To calculate the appropriate dosage, we first convert the child's weight from pounds to kilograms. Since 1 pound is approximately 0.453592 kg, a child weighing 36 pounds is approximately 16.33 kg. The recommended dose is 5 mg/kg/day, which translates to about 81.65 mg per day. Dividing this by the number of doses per day (3 doses, every 8 hours) results in a first dose of 27 mg.

A (27) CORRECT

This option correctly represents the calculated first dose based on the child's weight and the recommended dosage guidelines. The calculation yields 27 mg as the appropriate dosage for each of the three doses taken throughout the day.

B (60) YOUR ANSWER

This choice exceeds the calculated dose based on the weight of the child. If we were to give 60 mg, it would not align with the recommended dosage of 5 mg/kg/day for a 3-year-old weighing 36 pounds.

C (82) YOUR ANSWER

Selecting 82 mg for the first dose is also incorrect as it significantly exceeds the calculated requirement. The child's weight and the recommended dosing parameters do not support such a high dosage, which could potentially lead to overdosing.

D (180) YOUR ANSWER

This option is far too high and is not supported by the dosage calculation. A dose of 180 mg would be dangerously excessive for a child of this weight, disregarding the guidelines that aim to ensure safe and effective medication administration.

Conclusion

Determining the correct dosage for pediatric patients is crucial for safety and efficacy. In this case, a first dose of 27 mg aligns with the recommended dosing of 5 mg/kg/day for a 3-year-old child weighing 36 pounds. All other options present dosages that are either excessive or not consistent with the recommended guidelines, emphasizing the importance of accurate calculations in pediatric medication dosing.

What is the correct first dose in mg for a 3 year old child weighing 36 pounds if the recommended dose is 5 mg/kg/day in divided doses q8h?

27 mg is the correct first dose for a 3-year-old child weighing 36 pounds.

Related Questions

Related Quizzes

How familiar were you with this question?

Report an Issue

Rate this Practice Test