The healthcare provider prescribes ceftazidime 30 mg/kg/day for an infant weighing 3,500 grams. What dose should the nurse administer daily to this infant? (Enter numeric value only.)
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
To calculate the correct dose of ceftazidime, follow these steps:
- Convert the infant’s weight from grams to kilograms:
- The infant weighs 3,500 grams.
- To convert grams to kilograms, divide by 1,000:
[
3,500 \, \text{grams} \div 1,000 = 3.5 \, \text{kg}
]
- Determine the prescribed dose in milligrams:
- The prescription is for 30 mg/kg/day.
- Multiply the dose per kilogram by the infant’s weight:
[
30 \, \text{mg/kg} \times 3.5 \, \text{kg} = 105 \, \text{mg/day}
]
Thus, the correct dose to administer daily is 105 mg.
Explanation
This calculation begins with converting the infant’s weight to kilograms, as medication dosages for infants and children are typically based on body weight in kilograms. The conversion from grams to kilograms is important since using the wrong unit could lead to a significant error in the dose, potentially leading to underdosing or overdosing.
Next, the prescribed dosage (30 mg/kg/day) is multiplied by the infant’s weight to determine the exact amount of the medication the infant should receive daily. This step ensures that the dosage is tailored to the infant’s body mass, ensuring efficacy while minimizing the risk of toxicity or side effects.
Ceftazidime is an antibiotic used to treat various bacterial infections. In infants, calculating the correct dosage is crucial because their organ systems, especially the kidneys and liver (which metabolize drugs), are still developing. An accurate dose helps to avoid overdose or inadequate treatment. Pediatric dosing calculations like this are a key aspect of safe nursing practice, emphasizing the importance of careful conversion and calculation in medication administration.