A nurse prepares to administer gentamycin to a child. The order is for 3 mg/kg IV daily in three divided doses. The client weighs 97 lb. How many milligrams should be given per dose?

A nurse prepares to administer gentamycin to a child. The order is for 3 mg/kg IV daily in three divided doses. The client weighs 97 lb. How many milligrams should be given per dose?

• A. 44 mg
• B. 33 mg
• C. 60 mg
• D. 22 mg

Answer: (A)

Convert weight to kilograms and apply the mg/kg dosing, then divide by the number of doses. 97 lb ≈ 97 ÷ 2.2046 ≈ 44 kg. Daily dose = 3 mg/kg × 44 kg ≈ 132 mg. Divide into three equal doses: 132 mg ÷ 3 ≈ 44 mg per dose. So each dose should be about 44 mg.

Convert weight to kilograms and apply the mg/kg dosing, then divide by the number of doses.

97 lb ≈ 97 ÷ 2.2046 ≈ 44 kg.

Daily dose = 3 mg/kg × 44 kg ≈ 132 mg.

Divide into three equal doses: 132 mg ÷ 3 ≈ 44 mg per dose.

So each dose should be about 44 mg.