Question

A physician orders meperidine 1.1 mg/kg diluted in 120 mL of water po every four hours as needed for pain for a 66-lb child. In stock: meperidine oral solution 50 mg/5 mL. What volume of medication should be added to 120 mL of water per dose?

Answer 1

The volume of the drug meperidine to be diluted in 120 ml of water per dose is 3,3 ml.

Step-by-step explanation:

Meperidine is a narcotic analgesic, with effect on the nervous system. It is used for moderate to severe pain control.

First, have to make the conversion of the child's weight, from lb to kg, knowing that the equivalence is 1 lb = 0.454 kg

• 1 lb ----------------- 0.454 Kg
• 66 lb ------------- X
• X = 66 x 0.454
• X = 29.964 ≈ 30 Kg

Child's weight is 30 Kg.

The exact dose that the child should receive should be determined, according to his weight:

• Dose = 1.1 mg x Kg
• Dose = 1.1 mg x 30 Kg
• Dose = 33 mg

Taking into account that there is 50 mg of meperidine in 5 ml of oral solution:

• 50 mg --------------- 5 cc
• 33 mg --------------- X
• X = (33 x 5) / 50
• X = 3.3 cc

The volume of meperidine to be diluted in 120 cc of water per dose is 3.3 ml.