Pedi Dosage calculations

Nursing Students Student Assist

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Specializes in medsurg, urgent care, peds.

I am trying to figure out how to do the pedi dosage calculations.....

Problem:

Order: atropine 0.5 mg IM

Literature: 0.01 mg/kg/dose

Weight: 35 lbs

Label: atropine 0.15 mg/ml

I understand converting lbs to kg as well as d/h x v and how to convert between systems, however I don't understand where to add in everything else!!! HELP!! I have a pass/fail exam next week!

Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

I won't do the math but this is the sequence:

1. Convert pounds to kilos

2. Multiply the recommended dose (in this case 0.1 mg/kg/dose) x kilos for the safe dose range and compare with what is ordered

3. Determine how many mL of drug you will need by using what is ordered vs. what is available by whatever formula you normally use. I use dimensional analysis. Others use ratio and proportion. I set my problem up by first determining what unit of measure is being asked for. In this case it is ml.

x ml= ml of solution available divided by mg. of drug available in solution x mg of drug ordered divided by dose (or 1). When the problem is set up, everything above the line (the numerator) is multiplied together and then divided by everthing below the line that is multiplied together (the denominator).

Your label states "...0.15mg/ml". You need to know the total volume available in the vial to be able to do the calculation. Maybe I'm missing something here.

I'm new at pedi drug calculations so I won't be offended if someone lets me know this is not correct.

Specializes in medsurg, urgent care, peds.
I won't do the math but this is the sequence:

1. Convert pounds to kilos

2. Multiply the recommended dose (in this case 0.1 mg/kg/dose) x kilos for the safe dose range and compare with what is ordered

3. Determine how many mL of drug you will need by using what is ordered vs. what is available by whatever formula you normally use. I use dimensional analysis. Others use ratio and proportion. I set my problem up by first determining what unit of measure is being asked for. In this case it is ml.

x ml= ml of solution available divided by mg. of drug available in solution x mg of drug ordered divided by dose (or 1). When the problem is set up, everything above the line (the numerator) is multiplied together and then divided by everthing below the line that is multiplied together (the denominator).

Your label states "...0.15mg/ml". You need to know the total volume available in the vial to be able to do the calculation. Maybe I'm missing something here.

I'm new at pedi drug calculations so I won't be offended if someone lets me know this is not correct.

This makes great sense!!!!! Thanks so much!!!!!

Specializes in LTC.

Label means that there is 0.15mg per ml so just do the proportion 0.15mg/1ml and your total mg that you need to give over x and cross multiply, then divide

Specializes in critical care; community health; psych.

Thanks L'il Girl.:chuckle

Specializes in LTC.
Thanks L'il Girl.:chuckle

:) you are so very welcome

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