A nurse has to administer 0.05 mcg/kg of a medication to an infant who weighs 7 kg.
Calculate the dose that the nurse should administer to the infant.
A.
0.35 mcg
B.
350 mcg
C.
35 mcg
D.
3.5 mcg
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To determine the correct dose of medication for the infant, follow these steps:
- Understand the Dosage Calculation Formula: The formula for calculating the medication dose is:Dose=Dosage per kg×Weight\text{Dose} = \text{Dosage per kg} \times \text{Weight}Dose=Dosage per kg×Weightwhere:
- Dosage per kg is 0.05 mcg/kg
- Weight of the infant is 7 kg
- Apply the Formula: Substitute the values into the formula:Dose=0.05 mcg/kg×7 kg\text{Dose} = 0.05 \text{ mcg/kg} \times 7 \text{ kg}Dose=0.05 mcg/kg×7 kg
- Perform the Calculation: Multiply the dosage per kg by the weight:Dose=0.05×7\text{Dose} = 0.05 \times 7Dose=0.05×7 Dose=0.35 mcg\text{Dose} = 0.35 \text{ mcg}Dose=0.35 mcg
Therefore, the nurse should administer 0.35 mcg of the medication to the infant.
Explanation:
This calculation is based on a straightforward approach to determining the correct medication dose. Dosage calculations are crucial in nursing to ensure patients receive the correct amount of medication. In this scenario, the medication is prescribed based on the weight of the patient, which is a common practice in pediatric care due to their varying sizes and sensitivities compared to adults.
Here’s why the correct answer is 0.35 mcg:
- Dosage per kg: The medication amount required is 0.05 mcg for each kilogram of body weight.
- Weight of the infant: The infant weighs 7 kg.
- Calculation: Multiply 0.05 mcg by 7 kg to find the total dose required.
Other options (350 mcg, 35 mcg, and 3.5 mcg) are incorrect as they do not match the calculated dose. For instance:
- 350 mcg: This would be the result of incorrect multiplication or a misinterpretation of the units.
- 35 mcg: This might occur if there was a misplaced decimal point or misunderstanding of the weight or dosage units.
- 3.5 mcg: This might be a result of miscalculating or rounding incorrectly.
Ensuring precise calculations is essential in medication administration to avoid errors that could lead to underdosing or overdosing, which can have serious implications for patient safety.