A 60 kg patient ordered IV Amikacin 25 mg/kg body weight/per day. After dividing in two parts the accurate single dose is?

Appeared in: AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Explanation

The first step is to calculate the total daily dose by multiplying the patient's weight by the prescribed dose per kilogram.
Total daily dose = 60 kg × 25 mg/kg = 1500 mg.
The second step is to determine the single dose by dividing the total daily dose by the number of administrations per day.
The order specifies the daily dose is divided into two parts.
Single dose = 1500 mg / 2 = 750 mg.

Option B: 550 mg is an incorrect calculation and does not correspond to the prescribed dose for a 60 kg patient.
Option C: 700 mg is an incorrect calculation. It is close to the correct answer but would result in underdosing the patient.
Option D: 450 mg is a significant underdose and does not follow the prescribed order.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Safe nursing care depends on performing Drug Dosage Calculation in the correct sequence, documenting the action clearly, and monitoring for the expected response.
Accurate drug calculation is a fundamental nursing responsibility to ensure patient safety and prevent medication errors.
Aminoglycosides like Amikacin have a narrow therapeutic index, meaning the margin between a therapeutic dose and a toxic dose is small. This makes precise dosing crucial.
Nurses must monitor for signs of nephrotoxicity (e.g., decreased urine output, increased creatinine) and ototoxicity (e.g., tinnitus, vertigo, hearing loss) when administering Amikacin.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify all the necessary information from the question: patient's weight (60 kg), drug order (Amikacin 25 mg/kg/day), and dosing frequency (divided in two parts).
Calculate the total amount of drug needed for the entire day. Multiply the patient's weight by the dose per kg: 60 kg * 25 mg/kg = 1500 mg/day.
Next, determine the amount for a single dose. The problem states the total daily dose is divided into two parts. Divide the total daily dose by the number of parts: 1500 mg / 2 = 750 mg.
Compare your calculated single dose (750 mg) with the given options to find the correct answer.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Pharmacology Nursing Lilley 11e Part 2 p. 318-320

Practise the full AIIMS Rishikesh & Jodhpur NO - 2017

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.