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MedTestBankDosage Calculation for Nursing

Pediatric safe dose practice problems

Dosage calculation practice for nursing students: solve unlimited new problems below with instant checking, or work through the 15 problems with answers further down.

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Formula to use

Safe range = low mg/kg × weight (kg) to high mg/kg × weight (kg)

Ordered per day = dose ordered × number of doses per day

Compare the ordered amount with the safe range

Open the pediatric safe dose range calculator to check your own numbers step by step.

15 practice problems with answers

Solve each problem on paper first, then open the answer to compare every step.

  1. A child weighing 12.3 kg has an order for cefazolin 250 mg IV every 8 hours. The drug reference gives a safe range of 25–100 mg/kg/day. Is the order safe?

    • Safe: within the range
    • Unsafe: above the range
    • Unsafe: below the range
    Show the answer
    1. Safe range: 25–100 mg/kg/day × 12.3 kg = 307.5–1,230 mg/day.
    2. Ordered: 250 mg × 3 doses = 750 mg/day.
    3. The order is within the safe range.

    Answer: Safe: within the range

  2. A child weighing 18.8 kg has an order for acetaminophen 330 mg PO every 4 hours. The drug reference gives a safe range of 10–15 mg/kg/dose. Is the order safe?

    • Safe: within the range
    • Unsafe: above the range
    • Unsafe: below the range
    Show the answer
    1. Safe range per dose: 10–15 mg/kg × 18.8 kg = 188–282 mg.
    2. Ordered: 330 mg per dose.
    3. The order is above the safe range: hold it and contact the prescriber.

    Answer: Unsafe: above the range

  3. A child weighing 15.3 kg has an order for acetaminophen 190 mg PO every 4 hours. The drug reference gives a safe range of 10–15 mg/kg/dose. Is the order safe?

    • Safe: within the range
    • Unsafe: above the range
    • Unsafe: below the range
    Show the answer
    1. Safe range per dose: 10–15 mg/kg × 15.3 kg = 153–229.5 mg.
    2. Ordered: 190 mg per dose.
    3. The order is within the safe range.

    Answer: Safe: within the range

  4. A child weighing 21.1 kg has an order for cefazolin 450 mg IV every 8 hours. The drug reference gives a safe range of 25–100 mg/kg/day. Is the order safe?

    • Safe: within the range
    • Unsafe: above the range
    • Unsafe: below the range
    Show the answer
    1. Safe range: 25–100 mg/kg/day × 21.1 kg = 527.5–2,110 mg/day.
    2. Ordered: 450 mg × 3 doses = 1,350 mg/day.
    3. The order is within the safe range.

    Answer: Safe: within the range

  5. A child weighing 19.3 kg has an order for cephalexin 175 mg PO every 6 hours. The drug reference gives a safe range of 25–50 mg/kg/day. Is the order safe?

    • Safe: within the range
    • Unsafe: above the range
    • Unsafe: below the range
    Show the answer
    1. Safe range: 25–50 mg/kg/day × 19.3 kg = 482.5–965 mg/day.
    2. Ordered: 175 mg × 4 doses = 700 mg/day.
    3. The order is within the safe range.

    Answer: Safe: within the range

  6. A child weighing 20.5 kg has an order for ibuprofen 150 mg PO every 6 hours. The drug reference gives a safe range of 5–10 mg/kg/dose. Is the order safe?

    • Safe: within the range
    • Unsafe: above the range
    • Unsafe: below the range
    Show the answer
    1. Safe range per dose: 5–10 mg/kg × 20.5 kg = 102.5–205 mg.
    2. Ordered: 150 mg per dose.
    3. The order is within the safe range.

    Answer: Safe: within the range

  7. A child weighing 22.9 kg has an order for ibuprofen 90 mg PO every 6 hours. The drug reference gives a safe range of 5–10 mg/kg/dose. Is the order safe?

    • Safe: within the range
    • Unsafe: above the range
    • Unsafe: below the range
    Show the answer
    1. Safe range per dose: 5–10 mg/kg × 22.9 kg = 114.5–229 mg.
    2. Ordered: 90 mg per dose.
    3. The order is below the safe range: it may not be effective; contact the prescriber.

    Answer: Unsafe: below the range

  8. A child weighing 26.9 kg has an order for cephalexin 250 mg PO every 6 hours. The drug reference gives a safe range of 25–50 mg/kg/day. Is the order safe?

    • Safe: within the range
    • Unsafe: above the range
    • Unsafe: below the range
    Show the answer
    1. Safe range: 25–50 mg/kg/day × 26.9 kg = 672.5–1,345 mg/day.
    2. Ordered: 250 mg × 4 doses = 1,000 mg/day.
    3. The order is within the safe range.

    Answer: Safe: within the range

  9. A child weighing 14.5 kg has an order for cefazolin 300 mg IV every 8 hours. The drug reference gives a safe range of 25–100 mg/kg/day. Is the order safe?

    • Safe: within the range
    • Unsafe: above the range
    • Unsafe: below the range
    Show the answer
    1. Safe range: 25–100 mg/kg/day × 14.5 kg = 362.5–1,450 mg/day.
    2. Ordered: 300 mg × 3 doses = 900 mg/day.
    3. The order is within the safe range.

    Answer: Safe: within the range

  10. A child weighing 24.2 kg has an order for amoxicillin 250 mg PO every 8 hours. The drug reference gives a safe range of 20–40 mg/kg/day. Is the order safe?

    • Safe: within the range
    • Unsafe: above the range
    • Unsafe: below the range
    Show the answer
    1. Safe range: 20–40 mg/kg/day × 24.2 kg = 484–968 mg/day.
    2. Ordered: 250 mg × 3 doses = 750 mg/day.
    3. The order is within the safe range.

    Answer: Safe: within the range

  11. A child weighing 17.5 kg has an order for amoxicillin 175 mg PO every 8 hours. The drug reference gives a safe range of 20–40 mg/kg/day. Is the order safe?

    • Safe: within the range
    • Unsafe: above the range
    • Unsafe: below the range
    Show the answer
    1. Safe range: 20–40 mg/kg/day × 17.5 kg = 350–700 mg/day.
    2. Ordered: 175 mg × 3 doses = 525 mg/day.
    3. The order is within the safe range.

    Answer: Safe: within the range

  12. A child weighing 13.1 kg has an order for ibuprofen 100 mg PO every 6 hours. The drug reference gives a safe range of 5–10 mg/kg/dose. Is the order safe?

    • Safe: within the range
    • Unsafe: above the range
    • Unsafe: below the range
    Show the answer
    1. Safe range per dose: 5–10 mg/kg × 13.1 kg = 65.5–131 mg.
    2. Ordered: 100 mg per dose.
    3. The order is within the safe range.

    Answer: Safe: within the range

  13. A child weighing 25.8 kg has an order for cephalexin 250 mg PO every 6 hours. The drug reference gives a safe range of 25–50 mg/kg/day. Is the order safe?

    • Safe: within the range
    • Unsafe: above the range
    • Unsafe: below the range
    Show the answer
    1. Safe range: 25–50 mg/kg/day × 25.8 kg = 645–1,290 mg/day.
    2. Ordered: 250 mg × 4 doses = 1,000 mg/day.
    3. The order is within the safe range.

    Answer: Safe: within the range

  14. A child weighing 22.5 kg has an order for acetaminophen 180 mg PO every 4 hours. The drug reference gives a safe range of 10–15 mg/kg/dose. Is the order safe?

    • Safe: within the range
    • Unsafe: above the range
    • Unsafe: below the range
    Show the answer
    1. Safe range per dose: 10–15 mg/kg × 22.5 kg = 225–337.5 mg.
    2. Ordered: 180 mg per dose.
    3. The order is below the safe range: it may not be effective; contact the prescriber.

    Answer: Unsafe: below the range

  15. A child weighing 24.4 kg has an order for amoxicillin 250 mg PO every 8 hours. The drug reference gives a safe range of 20–40 mg/kg/day. Is the order safe?

    • Safe: within the range
    • Unsafe: above the range
    • Unsafe: below the range
    Show the answer
    1. Safe range: 20–40 mg/kg/day × 24.4 kg = 488–976 mg/day.
    2. Ordered: 250 mg × 3 doses = 750 mg/day.
    3. The order is within the safe range.

    Answer: Safe: within the range