Question

After three weeks of antibiotic therapy, a child who weighs 55 pounds develops painful oral lesions, so the heal care provider prescribes acyclovir (Zovirax) 20 mg/kg daily. How many mg should the PN administer to this child?

Answer 1

To calculate the dosage of acyclovir for a child who weighs 55 pounds, convert the weight to kilograms and multiply by the prescribed amount of 20 mg/kg. The dosage is 500 mg daily.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question involves calculating the correct dosage of acyclovir (Zovirax) to be administered to a child weighing 55 pounds after receiving antibiotic therapy. Given the prescription is for 20 mg/kg daily, the first step is to convert the child's weight from pounds to kilograms (1 kg = 2.2 lbs). The child's weight in kilograms is 55 lbs / 2.2 = 25 kg. Next, we calculate the daily dosage by multiplying the child's weight in kg by the prescribed amount (mg/kg): 25 kg x 20 mg/kg = 500 mg. Therefore, the amount of acyclovir the PN should administer to the child is 500 mg daily.