I am doing a peds rotation and have to do a care plan. I have to include the meds I administered and show dosage calculations. I can't seem to figure out/remember the calculation I used to verify an Rx. The order was written as dexamethasone 4mg/mL Q 6 hours x 3 doses IV. The dosage range is 0.08-0.3 mg/kg/day and the patient weighs 19 kg. No way I calculate it do I get that 4mg is a safe dose. What am I missing?

4mg/ml is a concentration, not a dose. What was the dose ordered?

I know that is the concentration, but it is also how it was written. That is why I am confused.

19 kg times 0.08 mg/kg/day = 1.52 mg

19 kg times 0.3 mg/kg/day = 5.7 mg

1.52 mg to 5.7 mg would be within the safe dosage range

1.52/4 = 0.38 mg

5.7/4= 1.43 mg per dose (which is q6h)

0.38 mg/4 mg times 1 ml = 0.095 mL

1.43 mg/4 mg times 1 mL = 0.36 mL

I dont know if that is right????

Is 4mg per mL the strength of med????

I guess what I'm saying is you haven't got enough information. You could calculate a safe dosing range, as the poster above did, but it still won't tell you what the doc ordered. If you don't have that info, then I would make a note of that, along with what the safe range would be. At least that way, your instructor can see you attempted to answer. Good luck :)