A nurse is preparing to administer a dexamethasone 1.5 mg/kg/day PO to divide equally every 6 hr to a preschool-age child who weighs 22 lb. Available is dexamethasone oral solution 1 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?

Convert the child's weight from pounds to kilograms: Formula: kg = lb / 2.2 = 22 lb / 2.2 lb/kg = 10 kg Calculate the total daily dose of dexamethasone: Total daily dose (mg) = Dose (mg/kg/day) × Weight (kg) = 1.5 mg/kg/day × 10 kg = 15 mg/day Calculate the dose to be administered every 6 hours: Dose per interval (mg/dose) = Total daily dose (mg/day) / Number of doses per day = 15 mg/day / 4 doses/day = 3.75 mg/dose Calculate the volume of dexamethasone oral solution to administer: Volume (mL) = Dose (mg) / Concentration (mg/mL) = 3.75 mg / 1 mg/mL = 3.75 mL Round to the nearest tenth: 3.75 mL rounded to the nearest tenth is 3.8 mL. The nurse should administer 3.8 mL per dose.