Question

a nurse is preparing to administer a loading dose of phenytoin (Dilantin) 5 mg/kg IV bolus stat to an infant who weighs 12 lb 4 oz. How many mg should the nurse administer? (whole number)

Answer 1

To calculate the loading dose of phenytoin (Dilantin) for an infant weighing 12 lb 4 oz, convert the weight to kilograms, multiply it by the loading dose of 5 mg/kg, and round the answer to the nearest whole number.

Step-by-step explanation:

To calculate the loading dose of phenytoin (Dilantin) for the infant, you need to convert the weight from pounds and ounces to kilograms.

First, convert the pounds to kilograms by dividing the weight in pounds by 2.2046.

Then, convert the ounces to kilograms by dividing the weight in ounces by 35.274.

Add the two results together to get the weight in kilograms.

Next, multiply the weight in kilograms by the loading dose of 5 mg/kg to find the total dose in milligrams. Finally, round the answer to the nearest whole number.

Let's work through the calculation:

Weight in pounds: 12 lb 4 oz

Weight in kilograms: (12 / 2.2046) + (4 / 35.274) = 5.58 + 0.11 = 5.69 kg

Total dose in milligrams: 5.69 kg * 5 mg/kg = 28.45 mg

Rounded dose: 28 mg