Final answer:
To calculate the dose of penicillin for a client, multiply their weight by the prescribed dose, divide by the number of doses, and then use the medication's concentration to determine the volume in milliliters per dose. For a 25 kg client prescribed 56 mg/kg/day in four divided doses, the nurse needs to administer 14 ml of the penicillin suspension per dose.
Step-by-step explanation:
The physician prescribes penicillin potassium oral suspension 56 mg/kg/day in four divided doses for a client who weighs 25 kg. First, calculate the total daily dose needed by multiplying the weight of the client by the prescribed dose: 56 mg/kg/day * 25 kg = 1400 mg/day. Then, divide this daily dose into four divided doses: 1400 mg/day ÷ 4 = 350 mg per dose.
Next, we need to calculate how many milliliters of solution should be given per dose using the medication's concentration. The medication dispensed by the pharmacy contains a dosage strength of 125 mg/5 ml. To find the volume for one dose, we use the following proportion:
125 mg : 5 ml = 350 mg : X ml
Cross-multiply and solve for X:
125 mg * X ml = 350 mg * 5 ml
X = (350 mg * 5 ml) ÷ 125 mg = 14 ml
Therefore, the nurse should administer 14 ml of the penicillin suspension with each of the four doses daily.