A child weighing 55 pounds is receiving ampicillin 300 mg/kg/24 hours intravenously (IV) in equally divided doses every 4 hours. How many mg should the nurse administer to the child for each dose? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)

Convert the child's weight from pounds to kilograms: Weight (kg) = Weight (pounds) / 2.2 pounds/kg = 55 pounds / 2.2 pounds/kg = 25 kg Calculate the total daily dose in milligrams: Total daily dose (mg) = Prescribed dose (mg/kg/24 hours) x Child's weight (kg) = 300 mg/kg/24 hours x 25 kg = 7500 mg/24 hours Determine the number of doses per day: Number of doses per day = 24 hours / Frequency of doses (hours) = 24 hours / 4 hours/dose = 6 doses/day Calculate the dose to administer for each dose: Dose per administration (mg) = Total daily dose (mg) / Number of doses per day = 7500 mg / 6 doses = 1250 mg/dose