Nurs 2258-4331 Paediatrics Proctored Exam
Calculation
A nurse is caring for an infant with a temperature of 102.5°F (39.1°C). The health care provider has prescribed acetaminophen 10 mg/kg every 4 to 6 hours for a temperature of 101.4°F (38.6°C) or higher. The infant weighs 14 pounds. How many milligrams should the nurse administer? Please enter the numeric value only. Round to the nearest whole number.
mg
Explanation & Rationale
Step-by-step calculation: Step 1 is: Convert pounds to kilograms. 1 kg = 2.2 lbs. (14 lbs ÷ 2.2) = 6.36 kg. Step 2 is: Multiply weight in kilograms by the prescribed dose. 6.36 kg × 10 mg = 63.6 mg. Step 3 is: Round to the nearest whole number. 63.6 mg ≈ 64 mg. Final Answer: 64 mg. Rationale: The correct acetaminophen dose for infants is 10–15 mg/kg per dose every 4–6 hours, not to exceed 5 doses in 24 hours. Accurate weight-based dosing is crucial to avoid toxicity, particularly hepatotoxicity, which can occur with overdose. Rounding to the nearest milligram ensures precise administration while maintaining safety in pediatric pharmacotherapy.
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