Answer :
Final answer:
To determine the vancomycin dosage for a child weighing 32 lbs, convert the weight to kilograms and multiply by the dosage rate of 10mg/kg to achieve a single dose of approximately 145 mg.
Explanation:
The question asks how much vancomycin should be given per dose for a child weighing 32 lbs, with a dosage of 10mg/kg every 6 hours (q 6 h) IV. To find the correct dosage, start by converting the child's weight from pounds to kilograms, since the dosage formula is in mg/kg. Remember that 1 kilogram equals 2.2 pounds.
To convert 32 lbs to kg, divide 32 by 2.2, which equals approximately 14.55 kg. After converting the body weight to kilograms, calculate the total dosage in mg by multiplying the body weight in kg by the dosage per kg: 14.55 kg × 10 mg/kg equals 145.5 mg per dose. Since medication dosages are typically rounded to the nearest whole number, the amount to be administered is 145 mg. The correct answer would be option (a), 145 mg.
