1. Pediatric and Adult Dosages Based on Body Weight
Chapter 13

2. Verifying Safe Pediatric Dosages: Body Weight Method
1. Convert child’s weight from pounds to kilograms (rounded to tenths)

3. Verifying Safe Pediatric Dosages: Body Weight Method
2. Calculate safe dosage in mg per kg or mcg per kg (rounded to tenths) for a child of this weight
As recommended by a reputable drug reference
Multiply mg per kg by child’s weight in kg

4. Verifying Safe Pediatric Dosages: Body Weight Method
3. Compare ordered dose to recommended dose
Decide if dosage is safe

5. Verifying Safe Pediatric Dosages: Body Weight Method
4. If safe
Calculate amount to administer dose
If dosage seems unsafe, consult with ordering practitioner
NOTE: Dosage per kg may be mg per kg, mcg per kg, g per kg, mEq per kg, units per kg, milliunits per kg, etc.

6. Calculation of Safe Dosage
Physician orders amoxicillin 200 mg p.o. q.8 hours for a child who weighs 22 lbs
Is this dosage safe?

7. Calculation of Safe Dosage
1. Convert lb to kg
Approximate equivalent: 1 kg = 2.2 lb
Think: of 22 = 11
22 lb = 22  2.2 = 10 kg

8. Calculation of Safe Dosage
2. Calculate recommended dosage
Look at label Amoxil (amoxicillin)
Label describes recommended dosage as “20 to 40 mg per kg per day in divided doses every 8 hours….”

9. Calculation of Safe Dosage
The label recommends that total daily dosage be divided and administered every 8 hours, resulting in 3 doses in 24 hours.

10. Calculation of Safe Dosage
Calculate minimum and maximum dosage for each single dose
Minimum total daily dosage:
20 mg/kg/day × 10 kg = 200 mg per day
Minimum dosage for each single dose:
200 mg  3 doses = 66.7 mg per dose

11. Calculation of Safe Dosage
Maximum total daily dosage:
40 mg/kg/day × 10 kg = 400 mg/day
400 mg  3 doses = mg/dose
Single dosage is 66.7 to mg per dose

12. Calculation of Safe Dosage
3. Decide if ordered dosage is safe
200 mg
Allowable, safe dosage is 66.7 to mg per dose
No, this dosage is too high and is not safe.
4. Contact physician to discuss order