PTCB Certified Pharmacy Technician (PTCE)Order Entry and ProcessingHard
A pharmacy technician is tasked with calculating the appropriate dose for a pediatric patient. The order is for a medication at 15 mg/kg, and the patient weighs 44 lbs. What is the correct dose in milligrams?
- A330 mg
- B660 mg
- C300 mg
- D150 mg
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 300 mg
First, convert the patient's weight from pounds to kilograms (1 kg = 2.2 lbs). 44 lbs / 2.2 lbs/kg = 20 kg. Then, multiply the patient's weight in kilograms by the ordered dose per kilogram: 20 kg * 15 mg/kg = 300 mg.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. Incorrect. This is 15 mg/kg for a 22 kg patient (48.4 lbs).
- B. Incorrect. This is double the correct dose, or 15 mg/kg for a 44 kg patient.
- D. Incorrect. This would be 15 mg/kg for a 10 kg patient.
Weight-Based Dosing Calculation (lbs to kg)
A calculation method used to determine a patient's medication dose based on their body weight, often requiring conversion from pounds to kilograms.
- Standard conversion: 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lbs).
- First convert weight to kilograms.
- Then multiply kg weight by the mg/kg dose.
- Critical for pediatric and oncology dosing accuracy.
Memory trick: Pounds to Kilos, then Multiply.