Math Practice Using Conversions – (A) Answers
Provided by:
Sally Hartman M.S.N., RN, WHNP-BC, IBCLC
IPFW Clinical Assistant Professor
The Physician orders Biaxin (clarithromycin) 7.5 mg per kg. If the drug strength is 250 mg per 5
mL, how mL of this antibiotic should be administered to a patient at each dose if the patient
weighs 154 pounds?
X mL = 7.5 mg x 1 kg x 154 lb x 5mL = 5775 = 10.5 mL
Kg
2.2 lb
1
250 mg
550
The order is metaproterenol sulfate syrup 10 mg by mouth (PO) three times a day (tid). How
many teaspoons must be administered for one dose if the medication reads 10 mg/5mL?
X tsp = 10 mg x 5 mL x 1 tsp = 50 = 1 tsp
1 dose 10 mg 5 mL
50
Didronel (etidronate disodium) 20 mg/kg/day orally (PO). This patient who has Paget’s disease
weighs 178 pounds. How many 400 mg tablets would the nurse administer?
X tab = 20 mg x 1 kg x 178 lb x 1 tab = 3560 = 4.0 tab
Kg
2.2 lb
1
400 mg
880
A drug is ordered 6mg/kg orally (PO) twice a day (bid). How many tablets per day will the
patient receive if he weighs 148 pounds and the strength of the tablet is 200mg/tab?
X tab = 6 mg x 1 kg x 148 lb x 1 tab x 2 times = 1776 = 4 tablets
Kg
2.2 lb
1
200 mg
day
440
Keftab (cephalex) 50 mg/kg orally (PO) in two equally divided doses is ordered for Shaquille
O’Neal. He weighs 325 pounds. If each tablet contains 500mg how many tablets of this antibiotic will Shaq receive at each dose?
X tab = 50 mg x 1 kg x 325 lb x 1 tab x 1 day = 16250 = 7 tablets
Kg
2.2 lb
1
500 mg
2 dose
2200