a. Example 1. A thirty-pound child of average size is to receive Kanamycin
injection with a dosage expressed as 150-450 mg/m/24 hr.
(1) Using a nomogram, calculate the client's body surface area.
SURFACE AREA = 0.6 m
(2) Multiply body surface area by the dose.
CHILD'S DOSE = 0.6 m 150-450 mg
m
CHILD'S DOSE = 90.0-270 mg/24 hours
b. Example 2. A three-month old boy who is 24.5 inches long and weighs 11
pounds, 8 ounces, is to receive Phenobarbital elixir labeled 20 mg/5 ml. The
anticonvulsant dose of Phenobarbital is 125 mg/m dose.
(1) Calculate the single dose of Phenobarbital in mg.
SURFACE AREA = 0.31 m
CHILD'S DOSE = 0.31 125 mg = 40 mg, approximately
(2) How many milliliters will be administered for each single dose?
IF
20 mg
THEN
40 mg
5 ml
=
X ml
20 x X = 5 40
X = 200
= 10 ml (answer)
20
NOTE:
If the usual adult is assumed to have a surface area of 1.7 m, we can use the
following formula for the pediatric dose if only the usual adult dose is known:
CHILD'S DOSE = surface area (m) adult dose
1.7
MD0913
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