4.7: Medications and Pediatrics Doses
- Page ID
- 89308
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Pediatric doses of drugs are usually based on the patient’s weight in kilograms. This requires extra steps to accurately calculate a weight-based drug.
Example: The provider ordered amoxicillin 17mg/kg for a child who weighs 33 pounds. The medical assistant finds amoxicillin 500mg per 2mL in the drug supply cabinet.
Step 1: Determine the child’s weight in kilograms. In this case, the child weighs 33 pounds. This will be converted to kilograms. Use the proportion method to convert using the equivalency of 2.2 pounds equals 1 kilogram.
Cross multiply
Divide each side by 2.2
Answer: 33lb = 15kg
Step 2: Determine the dose to be given by multiplying the patient’s weight in kilograms by the dose ordered. In this case, the dose ordered is 17mg per kg. This means that for every one kilogram of the child, the medical assistant will administer 17mg of drug. The child weighs 15kg, which we will multiply by 17mg. 17mg multiplied by 15kg equals 255mg of amoxicillin. This is the new calculated dose ordered.
Step 3: Use the calculated dose ordered of 255mg of amoxicillin in the formula method. The dose ordered is divided by the dose available and multiplied by the dose form to get the dose to give.
Dose Ordered X Dose Form = Dose to Give
Dose Available
DO X DF = DG
DA
In this case, 255mg will be divided by 500mg and multiplied by 2mL is the dose to give.
Answer: 1.02mL of amoxicillin will be administered to the patient.