Question

The nurse is preparing to administer dicloxacillin 300 mg p.o. q.6h. for a patient with osteomyelitis. The patient weighs 44 lb. The nurse checks the drug reference manual and reads the following about dicloxacillin: PO dosage for children weighing less than 40 kg: 6.25-12.5 mg/kg q.6h (up to 12.25 mg / kg/ q.6h. has been used for osteomyelitis). The best action of the nurse is to: administer the medication as ordered as the dose is less than the maximum safe dose. call the physician to report that the ordered dose is greater than the maximum recommended dose of 245 mg. call the physician to report that the ordered dose is greater than the maximum recommended dose of 250 mg call the physician to report that the ordered dose is areater than the

Answer 1

Weight of the patient is 44lbs = 44×0.45 kg = 19.8kg

Ordered dose of dicloxacillin is 300mg per orally q6hr

The drug reference states the dosage for children weighing less than 40kg = 6.25 to 12.5 mg /kg q6hr. For osteomyelitis it's upto 12.25 mg /kg q6hr

In this case the patient is a case of osteomyelitis and weights less than 40kg

The dose of dicloxacillin will be 6.25 to 12.25 mg ×19.8kg q6hr

= 123.75 to 242.55mg/kg q6hr

- The best action of the nurse is to call the physician to report that the ordered dose is greater than the maximum recommended dose of 242.5 mg