A pediatric dose calculation: a 25 kg child is ordered 0.2 mg/kg per dose IV every 6 hours. How many milligrams per dose?

A pediatric dose calculation: a 25 kg child is ordered 0.2 mg/kg per dose IV every 6 hours. How many milligrams per dose?

• A. 4 mg
• B. 5 mg
• C. 6 mg
• D. 7 mg

Answer: (B)

Dose calculation uses mg per kilogram multiplied by body weight. Multiply the child’s weight by the prescribed mg/kg: 25 kg × 0.2 mg/kg = 5 mg. So each IV dose should be 5 mg. The interval (every 6 hours) changes how many doses occur in a day (four doses in 24 hours) but not the amount per dose.

Dose calculation uses mg per kilogram multiplied by body weight. Multiply the child’s weight by the prescribed mg/kg: 25 kg × 0.2 mg/kg = 5 mg. So each IV dose should be 5 mg. The interval (every 6 hours) changes how many doses occur in a day (four doses in 24 hours) but not the amount per dose.