A nurse is preparing to administer amoxicillin 30 mg/kg/day in 2 equally divided doses every 12 hr to a toddler who weighs 33 lb. Available is amoxicillin 200 mg/5 mL suspension.

How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?

Step 1: Convert the toddler’s weight from pounds to kilograms. 1 kg is approximately 2.2 lb. So, 33 lb ÷ 2.2 = 15 kg.

Step 2: Calculate the total daily dose of amoxicillin. The prescribed dose is 30 mg/kg/day. So, 30 mg/kg/day × 15 kg = 450 mg/day.

Step 3: Since the dose is divided into 2 equal doses every 12 hours, each dose will be half of the total daily dose. So, 450 mg/day ÷ 2 = 225 mg/dose.

Step 4: Calculate the volume of the suspension to administer per dose. The available suspension is 200 mg/5 mL. So, (225 mg/dose ÷ 200 mg) × 5 mL = 5.625 mL/dose. Therefore, the nurse should administer approximately 5.6 mL of the amoxicillin suspension per dose.

Choice A rationale

Fresh vegetables are generally not considered bladder irritants. They are part of a healthy diet and do not typically cause bladder irritation.

Choice B rationale

Red meat is not typically associated with bladder irritation. While some individuals may have specific dietary sensitivities, red meat is not commonly known to irritate the bladder.

Choice C rationale

Dairy products are not typically associated with bladder irritation. However, some individuals may have lactose intolerance or other specific sensitivities to dairy products.

Choice D rationale

Caffeinated beverages can irritate the bladder. Caffeine is a diuretic, which means it can increase urine production and potentially lead to bladder irritation.