The client weighs 110 lbs. The maximum dose for a drug is listed as 50 mg/kg of body weight per day. What is the maximum amount of medication this client should receive in a 24-hour period?
The correct answer and explanation is:
To calculate the maximum amount of medication a client should receive, we need to convert their weight from pounds to kilograms and then multiply it by the maximum dosage per kilogram.
- Convert the weight from pounds to kilograms:
- 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds
- 110 lbs ÷ 2.2 = 50 kg
- Multiply the client’s weight by the maximum dose per kilogram:
- The maximum dose is 50 mg per kg of body weight.
- 50 kg × 50 mg/kg = 2500 mg
So, the maximum amount of medication this client should receive in a 24-hour period is 2500 mg.
Explanation:
In order to ensure that a client receives the correct dosage of a medication, it’s important to base the calculation on their body weight. The dose of medication is often given in milligrams per kilogram of body weight (mg/kg), which means the dosage is tailored to the individual’s size.
To find out how much medication is appropriate for the client, the first step is to convert the client’s weight into a metric unit like kilograms. Since the client weighs 110 lbs, dividing by 2.2 gives the weight in kilograms, which in this case is 50 kg.
Once the weight is converted, the maximum dosage is calculated by multiplying the weight (in kilograms) by the drug’s maximum allowable dosage per kilogram. With a dose of 50 mg/kg and a weight of 50 kg, the result is 2500 mg of medication, which is the maximum amount that should be administered to the client over a 24-hour period.
This calculation ensures that the client receives a safe amount of the medication based on their weight, preventing potential overdose or underdose. It’s essential to always follow dosage guidelines to optimize therapeutic effects while minimizing risks.