Math Help? What is the correct answer.

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Can anyone tell me the answer to this problem.

The physician orders ceftriazone sodium 50 mg/kg of body weight, in divided doses every 12 hours for a child who weghs 66 poinds. Calculate the body weight, then determine how many milligrams will the child receive in each dose?

Thanks in advance

The question specifies the individual dose. The 50mg/kg has to be for a daily dose because otherwise it would come out to 1500mg per dose....way too much for a 30kg kid.

The teacher needs to correct the problem if the obvious answer of 750 mg is being marked wrong. Is it a trick question for an improperly written doctor's order? As I recall when I was in school, the problem would have had to include "per day" even if it did say divided doses.

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Child's weight is 66 lbs / 2.2 = 30 kg

50mg x 30 kg = 1500mg of ceftriazone sodium.

q12hrs, 1500 / 2 = 750mg per dose.

Math question get a lot harder than this. If this question is causing you problems then you need to get a dose calculation class now. At least get a book and do question after question until you feel confident.

She got the answer right, as she posted later, but it was marked wrong.

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Specializes in SICU.

Just seen the other post's. In my school if you don't write out the answer as 750 mg of ceftriazone sodium. Then you get it wrong. The number by itself is always wrong. You have to have amount, mg/ml etc and type of drug written. Is this why you got the answe wrong?

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Just seen the other post's. In my school if you don't write out the answer as 750 mg of ceftriazone sodium. Then you get it wrong. The number by itself is always wrong. You have to have amount, mg/ml etc and type of drug written. Is this why you got the answe wrong?

Quite possible, but she won't know that until she talks to the tester.

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Specializes in Nursing assistant.
Can anyone tell me the answer to this problem.

The physician orders ceftriazone sodium 50 mg/kg of body weight, in divided doses every 12 hours for a child who weghs 66 poinds. Calculate the body weight, then determine how many milligrams will the child receive in each dose?

Thanks in advance

The math is simple, even I got 750mg ;) , but I wondering if the problem is something else. Was the physicians order inappropriate in some way? Do you need to look the drug up and check correct dosage and administration for a pediatric patient? Hmmm

Probably why I am not a nurse, I'd be double checking everything, I would never be home before midnight....

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Specializes in Nursing assistant.

Wait a minute, if they are to get 1500mg over a 24 hour period, would you have to give it 500mg first dose, 500mg 12 hours later, and 500 mg 12 hours later in order to not exceed 1500 in a 24 hour period? Now I am really confused.

Just ignore me, I don't have a clue. The teacher probably just made a mistake grading your paper!

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Specializes in OB.

My college is SUPERB at these kinds of questions. THe answer is not 750, it is 1500

it is asking how many mg each dose.. the "divided doses" is a distractor.

it says 50 mg per kg.. how many mg will the child rec each dose. no matter what, the child will rec 50 mg per kg each dose. which would be 1500. every 12 hours this child will rec 50mg/kg of the medication

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
The physician orders ceftriazone sodium 50 mg/kg of body weight, in divided doses every 12 hours for a child who weghs 66 poinds. Calculate the body weight, then determine how many milligrams will the child receive in each dose?

Should still be 750 mg per DOSE.

Each DAY the patient will receive a TOTAL of 1500 mg in the two doses.

I say she's right.

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Specializes in OB.
Should still be 750 mg per DOSE.

Each DAY the patient will receive a TOTAL of 1500 mg in the two doses.

I say she's right.

okay.. "divded doses".. divided how.. in 1/2.. or 3 times a day, or 4...??

it does not tell you how many times it is divided, if you look at it that way

it is still 50mg/per kg every 12 hours.

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Specializes in Utilization Management.
okay.. "divded doses".. divided how.. in 1/2.. or 3 times a day, or 4...??

it does not tell you how many times it is divided, if you look at it that way

it is still 50mg/per kg every 12 hours.

The physician orders ceftriazone sodium 50 mg/kg of body weight, in divided doses every 12 hours for a child who weghs 66 poinds. Calculate the body weight, then determine how many milligrams will the child receive in each dose?

Moongirl, I don't want to argue with you. But the problem certainly does tell you how divided when it says, "every 12 hours."

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Specializes in OB.
The question specifies the individual dose. The 50mg/kg has to be for a daily dose because otherwise it would come out to 1500mg per dose....way too much for a 30kg kid.

this med can be used in children IM for menegitis at 50mg/kg every 12 hours :)

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Specializes in OB.
Moongirl, I don't want to argue with you. But the problem certainly does tell you how divided when it says, "every 12 hours."

yep.. every 12 hours the chilld will rec 50 mg/kg.

Lets see what her instructor says.. then you can owe me lunch :D

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