Question

The patient is a 1 year old child who weighs 18 lb. Ordered: Erythromycin suspension 160 mg po q8h On hand: Erythromycin 200 mg/5mL Package insert states: Usual dose Children 30-50 mg/kg/day in equally divided dosages.

A. Is the dosage ordered safe? YES_____ NO_____ Show calculations that proves your choice.

B. How will the medication be given?___________

C. How often will the medication be given?_____________

D. How much in mL of the medication to be given at prescribed time?________________

E. What do you do if the dose is not a safe dose?___

Answer 1

Weight of the patient= 18 lb=8.18 kg

ordered dose = 160mg po q8h means 160X 3=480 mg per day

Available Erythromycin suspension= 200 mg/5mL=40 mg/ml

Usual dose==30-50 mg/kg/day in equally divided doses

as per weight of the patient it will be=30 X8.18 to 50 X 8.18 mg per day

    = 245.45 to 409 mg per day

Now answering the question parts?

A. Ordered dose i.e. 160 mg q8h or 480 mg per is more than the recommended Usual dose Children 30-50 mg/kg/day in equally divided dosages = 245.45 to 409 mg per day Hence its not safe.

B. Medication should be given by oral route as available in suspenstion.

C. As given that  160 mg po q8h the dosage frequency is 3 times in 24 hours/per day

D. Pe dose required ml= 160/40= 4ml

E. In this case the dose is not safe then there is need of dose adjustment as per the child weight and within the recommended safe dose range