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You want to give 5mg/kg of ampicillin Q8HR to a child weighing 65 pounds. If there is 25mg/ml on hand, how many total mls will you give in 24 hours?

Choose one answer.

a. 18 mls
b. 17.7 mls
c. 17.76 mls
d. 17.4 mls

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

To calculate the total mls of ampicillin given to a
65-pound child over 24 hours at a dosage of
5mg/kg Q8HR and
25mg/ml concentration, you first convert the child's weight to kilograms, calculate the dose per administration and determine the volume for one administration. Multiplying this volume by the number of administrations in
24 hours, the total volume administered is
17.7 mls.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine how many total milliliters (mls) of ampicillin should be administered to a child weighing
65 pounds over
24 hours, given a dosage of
5mg/kg every eight hours (Q8HR) and a concentration of
25mg/ml.

follow these steps:

  • Convert the child's weight from pounds to kilograms using the conversion factor
    1 kg = 2.20462 pounds.
  • Multiply the child's weight in kilograms by the dosage
    (5mg/kg) to find the total dosage per administration.
  • Divide the total dosage per administration by the concentration of the medicine
    (25mg/ml) to determine the volume to be administered each time.
  • Since the medication is to be administered every
    8 hours, calculate the total number of administrations over
    24 hours.
  • Multiply the volume per administration by the total number of administrations to get the total volume for
    24 hours.

First, convert the child's weight:


65 pounds × (1 kg / 2.20462 pounds) = 29.4835 kg (rounded to four decimal places).

Next, calculate the dosage per administration:


29.4835 kg × 5 mg/kg = 147.4175 mg.

Then find the volume for one administration:


147.4175 mg ÷ 25 mg/ml = 5.8967 ml (rounded to four decimal places).

The child receives the medication Q8HR, which is three times per day, so the total volume for
24 hours is:


5.8967 ml × 3 = 17.7 mls (rounded to one decimal place).

Therefore, the correct choice is (b)
17.7 mls.

User Jubin Thomas
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