dosage calculation

Nursing Students Student Assist

Published

I am doing a dosage calculation problem and my instructor have not given me the answer sheet and I feel like I am not getting the right answer. I was someone can help correct my answer.

Question: The school nurse needs to administer ibuprofen 10mg/kg PO Q 4H. The client weighs 17lb. How many mg will the nurse administer per day.

How I set up my problem

10mg/kg x 17lb X 4hrs x 24hr/1 day x 1 kg/ 2.2lb

I got 4080/8.8 =463.6 mg/day

* I put 4hrs on the bottom

Liquid ibuprofen only comes in 100mg/ 5ml.

In the real world, yes; however, there was very little real world in the problem the OP posted. And, based upon some of the problems posted here this is becoming more common. Whether they are trying to make the problem more "challenging" or just don't know the medication and don't care enough to look it up isn't clear.

Either way, I think it sad, and think it sends a bad message to the students.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Internal and Family Medicine.

I agree. The answer on the test did not include the ml. But, there is only one on-hand OTC formulation, and that is 100 mg/5ml. So, I was assuming reality and knowledge of pharm here.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Internal and Family Medicine.

Have to agree. It seems irresponsible and lazy. Not exactly promoting success for the undergrad students.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Well done! Nice use of dimensional analysis to solve this problem.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Add a Comment