A nurse documenting a wound assessment in a computer notices that a client's wound measurement must be entered in inches instead of centimeters.
How many inches (in.) is equal to 2.54 centimeters?

To answer this question, the nurse needs to perform the following steps:

1) Convert the patient's weight from pounds and ounces to kilograms, using the conversion factor of 1 pound = 0.45359237 kilograms¹². To do this, first convert the ounces to a fraction of a pound by dividing by 16, then add this fraction to the pounds, and then multiply by the conversion factor. For example:

7 lb, 11.2 oz = 7 + (11.2 / 16) lb
= 7.7 lb
= 7.7 × 0.45359237 kg
= 3.492 kg

2) Calculate the dose of Garamycin in milligrams, using the prescribed dose of 4 mg/kg and the patient's weight in kilograms. To do this, simply multiply the dose per kilogram by the weight in kilograms. For example:

4 mg/kg × 3.492 kg = 13.968 mg

3) Calculate the volume of Garamycin in milliliters, using the reconstituted dosage of 20 mg/10 mL and the dose in milligrams. To do this, use a proportion to find the unknown volume that corresponds to the known dose. For example:

20 mg / 10 mL = 13.968 mg / x mL Cross-multiply and solve for x: 20x = 139.68

x = 6.984 mL
x =7 mL

This answer is correct because BSA is the most accurate method for calculating the child's dose from the adult dose¹². BSA takes into account the child's weight and height, and reflects the physiological function and organ growth of the child beter than weight alone¹. BSA can be calculated using a nomogram or a formula based on the child's weight and height¹. The child's dose can then be calculated by multiplying the adult dose by the ratio of the child's BSA to the average adult BSA (1.73 m2)¹. For example:

Child dose by BSA = (mg/day) = Adult Dose in mg/day x BSA in m2 / 1.73

OR

Child dose by BSA = (mg/day) = Adult Dose in mg/m2 x BSA in m2

The other options are not correct because they are not accurate methods for calculating the child's dose from the adult dose. Actual body weight and ideal body weight may not account for individual variations in pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, or clinical response. Actual body height is not a reliable indicator of drug dosage, as it does not reflect the body mass or organ function of the child.