The dose of Vitamin K for a newborn weighing less than 1000 g is–

Appeared in: RML PRE 2025

Explanation

Newborns are routinely given prophylactic Vitamin K to prevent Vitamin K Deficiency Bleeding (VKDB).
The standard recommended dose range is 0.5 mg to 1.0 mg, administered intramuscularly.
For very low birth weight infants, specifically those weighing less than 1000 g, the dose is reduced to 0.5 mg to ensure safety while still providing adequate protection.
This weight-based dosing is a critical safety measure in neonatal care.

Option B: 1 mg is the standard dose for newborns weighing 1000 g or more, not for those under 1000 g.
Option C: 5 mg is not a standard prophylactic dose for newborns.
Option D: 2 mg is not a standard prophylactic dose and is significantly higher than needed for prevention.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: Knowing Vitamin K prophylaxis dosage for low birth weight newborns helps nurses interpret findings accurately and avoid errors in routine assessment, medication administration, and patient teaching.
Administering the correct dose of Vitamin K is a fundamental nursing responsibility in the delivery room and nursery, directly impacting newborn safety.
An incorrect dose can have serious consequences. Underdosing increases the risk of life-threatening bleeding (VKDB), while overdosing, though rare with single prophylactic doses, is unnecessary and deviates from best practices for this vulnerable population.
Nurses must always verify the infant's weight before administering medications to prevent dosing errors.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the key elements of the question: the medication (Vitamin K), the patient population (newborn), and the specific patient characteristic (weighing less than 1000 g).
This is a factual recall question about medication dosage. Recall the standard guidelines for Vitamin K prophylaxis in newborns.
Remember that dosages for neonates, especially very low birth weight infants, are often different from those for full-term infants.
Compare the standard dose for a full-term infant (1 mg) with the options provided and consider which dose is appropriate for a much smaller infant.
Select the lower dose (0.5 mg) as the correct, safer, and recommended option for an infant under 1000 g.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Vitamin K prophylaxis dosage for low birth weight newborns.
Stem keywords: Vitamin K, newborn, weighing less than 1000 g, dose
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE
Clinical cues: newborn weighing less than 1000 g: This indicates a very low birth weight (VLBW) infant, which often requires medication dose adjustments.
Negative lead-in flag: false

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Practise the full RML PRE 2025

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