Pediatric dose volume practice problems
Work each problem on paper first, rounding as the question says. Then open the answer to check it and see every step.
For study and exam practice, not for patient care. The orders in these problems are written for practice. In the clinic, follow the prescriber's order, your facility's protocols, and your pharmacy.
Problem 1
A child with a bacterial infection of the ear is prescribed therapy with an oral antibiotic. Order: amoxicillin 40 mg/kg/day PO divided every 8 hours. The client is an 8-year-old who weighs 24.1 kg. Available: amoxicillin oral suspension 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? Record your answer using 2 decimal places.
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Answer: 6.43 mL
- Daily dose = 40 mg/kg/day × 24.1 kg = 964 mg/day.
- Divided every 8 hours is 3 doses a day: 964 ÷ 3 = 321.3333 mg per dose.
- mL = 321.3333 mg ÷ 250 mg × 5 mL = 6.4267 mL.
- Round to the nearest hundredth: 6.43 mL.
Problem 2
The nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for digoxin 3 mcg/kg/day PO once daily. The client is an 11-year-old who weighs 38.9 kg. The nurse has digoxin oral solution 0.05 mg/mL available. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? Record your answer using 2 decimal places.
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Answer: 2.33 mL
- Daily dose = 3 mcg/kg/day × 38.9 kg = 116.7 mcg/day.
- Once daily is 1 dose a day: 116.7 mcg per dose.
- mL = 0.1167 mg ÷ 0.05 mg × 1 mL = 2.334 mL.
- Round to the nearest hundredth: 2.33 mL.
Problem 3
Order: digoxin 5.6 mcg/kg/day PO divided every 12 hours. The client is an 8-year-old who weighs 33 kg. Available: digoxin oral solution 0.05 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? Record your answer using 2 decimal places.
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Answer: 1.85 mL
- Daily dose = 5.6 mcg/kg/day × 33 kg = 184.8 mcg/day.
- Divided every 12 hours is 2 doses a day: 184.8 ÷ 2 = 92.4 mcg per dose.
- mL = 0.0924 mg ÷ 0.05 mg × 1 mL = 1.848 mL.
- Round to the nearest hundredth: 1.85 mL.
Problem 4
The nurse is caring for a client who is a 10-year-old and weighs 43.3 kg. The client has a prescription for digoxin 5.6 mcg/kg/day PO divided every 12 hours. The nurse has digoxin oral solution 0.05 mg/mL available. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? Record your answer using 2 decimal places.
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Answer: 2.42 mL
- Daily dose = 5.6 mcg/kg/day × 43.3 kg = 242.48 mcg/day.
- Divided every 12 hours is 2 doses a day: 242.48 ÷ 2 = 121.24 mcg per dose.
- mL = 0.1212 mg ÷ 0.05 mg × 1 mL = 2.4248 mL.
- Round to the nearest hundredth: 2.42 mL.
Problem 5
A pediatric clinic is treating a middle-ear infection with an antibiotic. The prescription reads amoxicillin 25 mg/kg/day PO divided every 12 hours for a 9-month-old infant. The client weighs 8.6 kg. Available is amoxicillin oral suspension 125 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? Record your answer using 1 decimal place.
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Answer: 4.3 mL
- Daily dose = 25 mg/kg/day × 8.6 kg = 215 mg/day.
- Divided every 12 hours is 2 doses a day: 215 ÷ 2 = 107.5 mg per dose.
- mL = 107.5 mg ÷ 125 mg × 5 mL = 4.3 mL.
- 4.3 mL is exact, so no rounding is needed.
Problem 6
Order: amoxicillin 25 mg/kg/day PO divided every 12 hours. The client is a 5-year-old who weighs 15 kg. Available: amoxicillin oral suspension 125 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? Record your answer using 1 decimal place.
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Answer: 7.5 mL
- Daily dose = 25 mg/kg/day × 15 kg = 375 mg/day.
- Divided every 12 hours is 2 doses a day: 375 ÷ 2 = 187.5 mg per dose.
- mL = 187.5 mg ÷ 125 mg × 5 mL = 7.5 mL.
- 7.5 mL is exact, so no rounding is needed.
Problem 7
The nurse is caring for a client who has a prescription for amoxicillin 45 mg/kg/day PO divided every 12 hours. The client is a 4-month-old infant who weighs 6.5 kg. The nurse has amoxicillin oral suspension 250 mg/5 mL available. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? Record your answer using 2 decimal places.
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Answer: 2.93 mL
- Daily dose = 45 mg/kg/day × 6.5 kg = 292.5 mg/day.
- Divided every 12 hours is 2 doses a day: 292.5 ÷ 2 = 146.25 mg per dose.
- mL = 146.25 mg ÷ 250 mg × 5 mL = 2.925 mL.
- Round to the nearest hundredth: 2.93 mL.
Problem 8
Order: cefdinir 7 mg/kg/dose PO every 12 hours. The client is a 12-month-old toddler who weighs 8.1 kg. Available: cefdinir oral suspension 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? Record your answer using 2 decimal places.
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Answer: 1.13 mL
- Dose = 7 mg/kg × 8.1 kg = 56.7 mg.
- mL = 56.7 mg ÷ 250 mg × 5 mL = 1.134 mL.
- Round to the nearest hundredth: 1.13 mL.
Problem 9
A pediatric client with a bacterial infection is prescribed an oral antibiotic. Order: amoxicillin 25 mg/kg/day PO divided every 12 hours. The client is a 13-year-old who weighs 57.4 kg. Available: amoxicillin oral suspension 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? Record your answer using 2 decimal places.
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Answer: 14.35 mL
- Daily dose = 25 mg/kg/day × 57.4 kg = 1,435 mg/day.
- Divided every 12 hours is 2 doses a day: 1,435 ÷ 2 = 717.5 mg per dose.
- mL = 717.5 mg ÷ 250 mg × 5 mL = 14.35 mL.
- 14.35 mL is exact, so no rounding is needed.
Problem 10
A clinic nurse is preparing a pediatric medication for a client with a bacterial infection. Order: amoxicillin 20 mg/kg/day PO divided every 8 hours. The client is a 14-year-old who weighs 60.4 kg. Available: amoxicillin oral suspension 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? Record your answer using 2 decimal places.
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Answer: 8.05 mL
- Daily dose = 20 mg/kg/day × 60.4 kg = 1,208 mg/day.
- Divided every 8 hours is 3 doses a day: 1,208 ÷ 3 = 402.6667 mg per dose.
- mL = 402.6667 mg ÷ 250 mg × 5 mL = 8.0533 mL.
- Round to the nearest hundredth: 8.05 mL.
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