A nurse is preparing to administer Valproic Acid intravenously to a client weighing 118 lbs 12 oz. The provider orders a dosage of 25 mg/kg/day to be given every 12 hours. The pharmacy provides Valproic Acid at a concentration of 250 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer per dose? Round to the nearest tenth.
Explanation & Rationale
Identify the weight and convert to total pounds Weight: 118 lbs 12 oz 12 oz / 16 oz = 0.75 lbs Total Weight = 118.75 lbs Convert weight to kilograms (kg) Weight in kg = 118.75 / 2.2 Weight in kg = 53.977 kg Calculate the total daily dose in milligrams (mg) Total Daily Dose = 53.977 kg * 25 mg/kg/day Total Daily Dose = 1349.425 mg/day Calculate the dose per administration (Frequency: every 12 hours) Doses per day = 24 / 12 = 2 doses Single Dose = 1349.425 mg / 2 Single Dose = 674.7125 mg Calculate the volume to administer in milliliters (mL) Available Concentration: 250 mg / 5 mL Volume = (Single Dose / Available mg) * Available Volume Volume = (674.7125 / 250) * 5 Volume = 2.69885 * 5 = 13.494 mL Round to the nearest tenth 13.494 rounded = 13.5 = 13.5 mL/dose