A nurse is reviewing a medication order for a pediatric patient. The order states, "Administer 5 mg/kg of medication X orally." The child weighs 22 kg. How much medication should the nurse administer?

Calculation:

Given:

Ordered Dose = 1.2 g

Available Dose = 400 mg

• Convert Ordered Dose to mg

Ordered Dose = 1.2 × 1000

= 1200 mg

Number of tablets = Ordered Dose / Available Dose

= 1200 / 400

= 3 tablets

Rationale:
A. By asking a colleague to verify the calculation: Verification by a colleague is helpful for accuracy, but it does not ensure the answer makes sense in the clinical context or that it is safe for the patient.

B. By using clinical reasoning to assess the practicality and safety of the answer: Applying clinical reasoning allows the nurse to evaluate whether the calculated dose is appropriate for the patient’s age, weight, and condition. This step ensures the final answer is not only mathematically correct but also safe and realistic for administration.

C. By ensuring all units are converted to metric: Converting units is necessary for accurate calculations, but correct units alone do not guarantee the dose is clinically appropriate or safe for the patient.

D. By double-checking the math calculations: Double-checking math prevents numerical errors, yet it does not assess whether the result is reasonable or safe for the specific clinical situation.