The pediatric dose for amoxicillin is 20-40 mg/kg/day. The patient weighs 84 lbs. Which amount is a safe daily dose for this patient?

The pediatric dose for amoxicillin is 20-40 mg/kg/day. The patient weighs 84 lbs. Which amount is a safe daily dose for this patient?

• A. 750 mg
• B. 500 mg
• C. 1 g
• D. 2 g

Answer: (C)

Dosing in pediatrics is based on mg per kilogram of body weight per day, so you convert the child’s weight to kilograms and multiply by the prescribed mg/kg/day, then see if the total daily amount falls within that range. 84 lb is about 38 kg (84 ÷ 2.2046 ≈ 38.1 kg). The amoxicillin guideline is 20–40 mg/kg/day, so the daily dose should be: - low end: 38 kg × 20 mg/kg ≈ 760 mg - high end: 38 kg × 40 mg/kg ≈ 1,520 mg Thus a safe daily dose lies roughly between 760 mg and 1,520 mg. 1,000 mg (1 g) fits within this range, making it a safe daily dose. A dose of 2,000 mg would exceed the maximum, and 750 mg is just below the lower bound.

Dosing in pediatrics is based on mg per kilogram of body weight per day, so you convert the child’s weight to kilograms and multiply by the prescribed mg/kg/day, then see if the total daily amount falls within that range.

84 lb is about 38 kg (84 ÷ 2.2046 ≈ 38.1 kg). The amoxicillin guideline is 20–40 mg/kg/day, so the daily dose should be:

• low end: 38 kg × 20 mg/kg ≈ 760 mg

• high end: 38 kg × 40 mg/kg ≈ 1,520 mg

Thus a safe daily dose lies roughly between 760 mg and 1,520 mg. 1,000 mg (1 g) fits within this range, making it a safe daily dose. A dose of 2,000 mg would exceed the maximum, and 750 mg is just below the lower bound.