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Pediatric Medication Calculations
Questions 1–180 | Safe Dose Calculation & Administration for Pediatric Patients
| 100% Pass Guaranteed | Graded A+
1. A nurse is preparing to administer acetaminophen to a 2-year-old child who weighs 12
kg. The prescribed dose is 15 mg/kg/dose. How many milligrams should the nurse
administer?
A. 120 mg
B. 150 mg
C. 180 mg
D. 200 mg
Correct answer: C
Explanation: To calculate the dose: 12 kg × 15 mg/kg = 180 mg. Option A (120 mg) would be
10 mg/kg. Option B (150 mg) would be 12.5 mg/kg. Option D (200 mg) is higher than the
prescribed dose. The calculation is straightforward: weight in kg multiplied by the prescribed
mg/kg dose.
2. A pediatric patient weighs 22 pounds. What is the patient's weight in kilograms?
A. 8 kg
B. 10 kg
C. 12 kg
D. 14 kg
Correct answer: B
Explanation: To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.2. 22 lb ÷ 2.2 = 10 kg. Option A (8
kg) would be 17.6 lb. Option C (12 kg) would be 26.4 lb. Option D (14 kg) would be 30.8 lb.
The conversion factor 2.2 lb = 1 kg is essential for pediatric medication calculations.
3. A provider orders amoxicillin 250 mg PO every 8 hours for a child who weighs 15 kg.
The recommended dose is 20-40 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours. Is the ordered dose
safe?
, 2
A. Yes, the dose is safe and within the recommended range
B. No, the dose is too low
C. No, the dose is too high
D. Cannot determine without more information
Correct answer: A
Explanation: First, calculate the total daily dose ordered: 250 mg × 3 doses = 750 mg/day.
Then, calculate the mg/kg/day: 750 mg ÷ 15 kg = 50 mg/kg/day. However, the recommended
range is 20-40 mg/kg/day. Wait, let me recalculate: The ordered dose is 250 mg every 8 hours
= 750 mg/day. 750 mg ÷ 15 kg = 50 mg/kg/day. This EXCEEDS the recommended 40
mg/kg/day maximum. Actually, the correct answer should be C. Let me re-evaluate: The
safe range is 20-40 mg/kg/day. For a 15 kg child, the safe daily dose range is 300-600 mg/day.
The ordered dose of 750 mg/day exceeds this range. Therefore, the ordered dose is too high.
The correct answer is C, not A.
Correct answer: C
Explanation: The safe dose range is 20-40 mg/kg/day. For a 15 kg child, the safe daily dose is
300-600 mg. The ordered dose is 250 mg every 8 hours = 750 mg/day, which exceeds the
maximum safe dose of 600 mg/day. Therefore, the nurse should question the order as it is too
high.
4. A child weighing 18 kg is prescribed ceftriaxone 50 mg/kg/day IV divided every 12
hours. How many milligrams should the nurse administer per dose?
A. 400 mg
B. 450 mg
C. 500 mg
D. 550 mg
Correct answer: B
Explanation: Calculate the total daily dose: 18 kg × 50 mg/kg/day = 900 mg/day. Since the
dose is divided every 12 hours (2 doses per day), divide by 2: 900 mg ÷ 2 = 450 mg per dose.
Option A (400 mg) would be 44.4 mg/kg/day. Option C (500 mg) would be 55.6 mg/kg/day.
Option D (550 mg) would be 61.1 mg/kg/day.
5. A 5-year-old child weighs 40 pounds. The provider orders ibuprofen 10 mg/kg/dose
every 6 hours PRN for fever. What is the maximum daily dose this child can receive?
, 3
A. 400 mg
B. 600 mg
C. 727 mg
D. 800 mg
Correct answer: C
Explanation: First, convert weight: 40 lb ÷ 2.2 = 18.18 kg. Calculate the dose per
administration: 18.18 kg × 10 mg/kg = 181.8 mg/dose. Since the medication is given every 6
hours, there are 4 doses per day: 181.8 mg × 4 = 727.2 mg/day. Option A (400 mg) is too low.
Option B (600 mg) is also too low. Option D (800 mg) exceeds the calculated maximum.
6. A nurse is calculating the safe dose range for a child receiving gentamicin. The child
weighs 8 kg. The recommended dose is 5-7.5 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours. What
is the minimum single dose the nurse should administer?
A. 13.3 mg
B. 15 mg
C. 20 mg
D. 25 mg
Correct answer: A
Explanation: Calculate the minimum daily dose: 8 kg × 5 mg/kg/day = 40 mg/day. Divide by
3 doses (every 8 hours): 40 mg ÷ 3 = 13.33 mg/dose. Option B (15 mg) would be 5.6
mg/kg/day. Option C (20 mg) would be 7.5 mg/kg/day (maximum). Option D (25 mg) exceeds
the maximum.
7. A pediatric patient is prescribed digoxin 0.05 mg PO daily. The child weighs 10 kg. The
recommended dose is 10-15 mcg/kg/day. Is the ordered dose safe?
A. Yes, the dose is safe
B. No, the dose is too low
C. No, the dose is too high
D. Cannot determine
Correct answer: A
Explanation: Convert the ordered dose to mcg: 0.05 mg = 50 mcg. Calculate the
mcg/kg/day: 50 mcg ÷ 10 kg = 5 mcg/kg/day. The recommended range is 10-15 mcg/kg/day.
, 4
Wait, 5 mcg/kg/day is BELOW the recommended range. Therefore, the dose is too low. The
correct answer is B.
Correct answer: B
Explanation: The ordered dose is 0.05 mg = 50 mcg. For a 10 kg child, this is 5 mcg/kg/day.
The recommended range is 10-15 mcg/kg/day. Therefore, the ordered dose is too low. The
nurse should question the order.
8. A child weighing 25 kg is prescribed vancomycin 40 mg/kg/day IV divided every 6
hours. How many milligrams will the child receive per dose?
A. 200 mg
B. 250 mg
C. 300 mg
D. 350 mg
Correct answer: B
Explanation: Calculate the total daily dose: 25 kg × 40 mg/kg/day = 1,000 mg/day. Divide by
4 doses (every 6 hours): 1,000 mg ÷ 4 = 250 mg/dose. Option A (200 mg) would be 32
mg/kg/day. Option C (300 mg) would be 48 mg/kg/day. Option D (350 mg) would be 56
mg/kg/day.
9. A 3-year-old child weighs 15 kg and is prescribed prednisolone 1 mg/kg/dose PO twice
daily. How many milligrams will the child receive per day?
A. 15 mg
B. 20 mg
C. 30 mg
D. 45 mg
Correct answer: C
Explanation: Calculate the dose per administration: 15 kg × 1 mg/kg = 15 mg/dose. Since
the medication is given twice daily, multiply by 2: 15 mg × 2 = 30 mg/day. Option A (15 mg) is
only one dose. Option B (20 mg) is incorrect. Option D (45 mg) would be 3 mg/kg/day.
Pediatric Medication Calculations
Questions 1–180 | Safe Dose Calculation & Administration for Pediatric Patients
| 100% Pass Guaranteed | Graded A+
1. A nurse is preparing to administer acetaminophen to a 2-year-old child who weighs 12
kg. The prescribed dose is 15 mg/kg/dose. How many milligrams should the nurse
administer?
A. 120 mg
B. 150 mg
C. 180 mg
D. 200 mg
Correct answer: C
Explanation: To calculate the dose: 12 kg × 15 mg/kg = 180 mg. Option A (120 mg) would be
10 mg/kg. Option B (150 mg) would be 12.5 mg/kg. Option D (200 mg) is higher than the
prescribed dose. The calculation is straightforward: weight in kg multiplied by the prescribed
mg/kg dose.
2. A pediatric patient weighs 22 pounds. What is the patient's weight in kilograms?
A. 8 kg
B. 10 kg
C. 12 kg
D. 14 kg
Correct answer: B
Explanation: To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.2. 22 lb ÷ 2.2 = 10 kg. Option A (8
kg) would be 17.6 lb. Option C (12 kg) would be 26.4 lb. Option D (14 kg) would be 30.8 lb.
The conversion factor 2.2 lb = 1 kg is essential for pediatric medication calculations.
3. A provider orders amoxicillin 250 mg PO every 8 hours for a child who weighs 15 kg.
The recommended dose is 20-40 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours. Is the ordered dose
safe?
, 2
A. Yes, the dose is safe and within the recommended range
B. No, the dose is too low
C. No, the dose is too high
D. Cannot determine without more information
Correct answer: A
Explanation: First, calculate the total daily dose ordered: 250 mg × 3 doses = 750 mg/day.
Then, calculate the mg/kg/day: 750 mg ÷ 15 kg = 50 mg/kg/day. However, the recommended
range is 20-40 mg/kg/day. Wait, let me recalculate: The ordered dose is 250 mg every 8 hours
= 750 mg/day. 750 mg ÷ 15 kg = 50 mg/kg/day. This EXCEEDS the recommended 40
mg/kg/day maximum. Actually, the correct answer should be C. Let me re-evaluate: The
safe range is 20-40 mg/kg/day. For a 15 kg child, the safe daily dose range is 300-600 mg/day.
The ordered dose of 750 mg/day exceeds this range. Therefore, the ordered dose is too high.
The correct answer is C, not A.
Correct answer: C
Explanation: The safe dose range is 20-40 mg/kg/day. For a 15 kg child, the safe daily dose is
300-600 mg. The ordered dose is 250 mg every 8 hours = 750 mg/day, which exceeds the
maximum safe dose of 600 mg/day. Therefore, the nurse should question the order as it is too
high.
4. A child weighing 18 kg is prescribed ceftriaxone 50 mg/kg/day IV divided every 12
hours. How many milligrams should the nurse administer per dose?
A. 400 mg
B. 450 mg
C. 500 mg
D. 550 mg
Correct answer: B
Explanation: Calculate the total daily dose: 18 kg × 50 mg/kg/day = 900 mg/day. Since the
dose is divided every 12 hours (2 doses per day), divide by 2: 900 mg ÷ 2 = 450 mg per dose.
Option A (400 mg) would be 44.4 mg/kg/day. Option C (500 mg) would be 55.6 mg/kg/day.
Option D (550 mg) would be 61.1 mg/kg/day.
5. A 5-year-old child weighs 40 pounds. The provider orders ibuprofen 10 mg/kg/dose
every 6 hours PRN for fever. What is the maximum daily dose this child can receive?
, 3
A. 400 mg
B. 600 mg
C. 727 mg
D. 800 mg
Correct answer: C
Explanation: First, convert weight: 40 lb ÷ 2.2 = 18.18 kg. Calculate the dose per
administration: 18.18 kg × 10 mg/kg = 181.8 mg/dose. Since the medication is given every 6
hours, there are 4 doses per day: 181.8 mg × 4 = 727.2 mg/day. Option A (400 mg) is too low.
Option B (600 mg) is also too low. Option D (800 mg) exceeds the calculated maximum.
6. A nurse is calculating the safe dose range for a child receiving gentamicin. The child
weighs 8 kg. The recommended dose is 5-7.5 mg/kg/day divided every 8 hours. What
is the minimum single dose the nurse should administer?
A. 13.3 mg
B. 15 mg
C. 20 mg
D. 25 mg
Correct answer: A
Explanation: Calculate the minimum daily dose: 8 kg × 5 mg/kg/day = 40 mg/day. Divide by
3 doses (every 8 hours): 40 mg ÷ 3 = 13.33 mg/dose. Option B (15 mg) would be 5.6
mg/kg/day. Option C (20 mg) would be 7.5 mg/kg/day (maximum). Option D (25 mg) exceeds
the maximum.
7. A pediatric patient is prescribed digoxin 0.05 mg PO daily. The child weighs 10 kg. The
recommended dose is 10-15 mcg/kg/day. Is the ordered dose safe?
A. Yes, the dose is safe
B. No, the dose is too low
C. No, the dose is too high
D. Cannot determine
Correct answer: A
Explanation: Convert the ordered dose to mcg: 0.05 mg = 50 mcg. Calculate the
mcg/kg/day: 50 mcg ÷ 10 kg = 5 mcg/kg/day. The recommended range is 10-15 mcg/kg/day.
, 4
Wait, 5 mcg/kg/day is BELOW the recommended range. Therefore, the dose is too low. The
correct answer is B.
Correct answer: B
Explanation: The ordered dose is 0.05 mg = 50 mcg. For a 10 kg child, this is 5 mcg/kg/day.
The recommended range is 10-15 mcg/kg/day. Therefore, the ordered dose is too low. The
nurse should question the order.
8. A child weighing 25 kg is prescribed vancomycin 40 mg/kg/day IV divided every 6
hours. How many milligrams will the child receive per dose?
A. 200 mg
B. 250 mg
C. 300 mg
D. 350 mg
Correct answer: B
Explanation: Calculate the total daily dose: 25 kg × 40 mg/kg/day = 1,000 mg/day. Divide by
4 doses (every 6 hours): 1,000 mg ÷ 4 = 250 mg/dose. Option A (200 mg) would be 32
mg/kg/day. Option C (300 mg) would be 48 mg/kg/day. Option D (350 mg) would be 56
mg/kg/day.
9. A 3-year-old child weighs 15 kg and is prescribed prednisolone 1 mg/kg/dose PO twice
daily. How many milligrams will the child receive per day?
A. 15 mg
B. 20 mg
C. 30 mg
D. 45 mg
Correct answer: C
Explanation: Calculate the dose per administration: 15 kg × 1 mg/kg = 15 mg/dose. Since
the medication is given twice daily, multiply by 2: 15 mg × 2 = 30 mg/day. Option A (15 mg) is
only one dose. Option B (20 mg) is incorrect. Option D (45 mg) would be 3 mg/kg/day.
