A 12 kg child is ordered acetaminophen 15 mg/kg. The stock concentration is 160 mg/5 mL. What volume in milliliters is required?

A 12 kg child is ordered acetaminophen 15 mg/kg. The stock concentration is 160 mg/5 mL. What volume in milliliters is required?

• A. 5.0 mL
• B. 5.6 mL
• C. 6.0 mL
• D. 4.0 mL

Answer: (B)

To find the volume, multiply the child’s weight by the dose per kilogram to get the total milligrams needed: 12 kg × 15 mg/kg = 180 mg. The stock: 160 mg in 5 mL, which is 32 mg per mL. So the required volume is 180 mg ÷ 32 mg/mL = 5.625 mL. Rounding to the nearest tenth, this is 5.6 mL.

To find the volume, multiply the child’s weight by the dose per kilogram to get the total milligrams needed: 12 kg × 15 mg/kg = 180 mg. The stock: 160 mg in 5 mL, which is 32 mg per mL. So the required volume is 180 mg ÷ 32 mg/mL = 5.625 mL. Rounding to the nearest tenth, this is 5.6 mL.