The physician prescribes ticarcillin 35 mg IV every 4 hours for a client post kidney transplant. The client weighs 14 lbs. The nursing drug reference recommends a maximum of 20-30 mg/kg/day. Is the ordered dose for this client safe? Yes or No.

The correct answer is No. Step 1 is 14 lbs ÷ 2.2 lb/kg = 6.36363636 kg. Step 2 is 6.36 kg × 20 mg/kg/day = 127.2 mg/day for the minimum safe dose. Step 3 is 6.36 kg × 30 mg/kg/day = 190.8 mg/day for the maximum safe dose. Step 4 is 35 mg × (24 hours ÷ 4 hours) = 35 mg × 6 doses = 210 mg/day for the total daily dose. Step 5 is 210 mg/day > 190.8 mg/day, which exceeds the recommended maximum daily range.