Final answer:
To calculate the number of units of epoetin alfa for a patient weighing 165 pounds, first convert the weight to kilograms (165 lb / 2.2 = 75 kg), then multiply by the prescribed dosage (75 kg x 50 units/kg), resulting in 3750 units.
Step-by-step explanation:
To calculate the number of units of epoetin alfa that the patient will receive, we need to convert their weight from pounds to kilograms. There are 2.2 pounds in 1 kilogram, so we divide the patient's weight in pounds (165) by 2.2 to get their weight in kilograms (75). The calculation of the dose of epoetin alfa is based on the patient's body weight in kilograms, using the prescribed dosage of 50 units per kilogram. First, the patient's weight must be converted from pounds to kilograms by dividing the weight in pounds by 2.2. For a patient weighing 165 pounds:
- Convert pounds to kilograms: 165 lb ÷ 2.2 = 75 kg
- Calculate the number of units: 75 kg × 50 units/kg = 3750 units
The patient will receive 3750 units of epoetin alfa.