A pediatric patient weighs 12 kg and is prescribed 20 mg/kg/day in two divided doses. What is the per-dose amount?

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Multiple Choice

A pediatric patient weighs 12 kg and is prescribed 20 mg/kg/day in two divided doses. What is the per-dose amount?

Explanation:
Weight-based dosing requires converting the patient’s weight into a total daily amount and then dividing that amount by the number of doses per day. Total daily dose equals weight times the ordered mg per kg per day: 12 kg × 20 mg/kg/day = 240 mg/day. Because the medication is given in two divided doses, each dose is 240 mg ÷ 2 = 120 mg per dose. So the per-dose amount is 120 mg. Always verify the weight, the mg/kg order, and the dosing interval to ensure correct administration.

Weight-based dosing requires converting the patient’s weight into a total daily amount and then dividing that amount by the number of doses per day.

Total daily dose equals weight times the ordered mg per kg per day: 12 kg × 20 mg/kg/day = 240 mg/day. Because the medication is given in two divided doses, each dose is 240 mg ÷ 2 = 120 mg per dose.

So the per-dose amount is 120 mg. Always verify the weight, the mg/kg order, and the dosing interval to ensure correct administration.

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