Question

the doctor orders morphine sulfate 12.6 mg subcutaneously every 4 hours as needed for pain for a female weighing 76 pounds. the recommended maximum dose for a child is 0.1 to 0.2 mg/kg/dose. morphine sulfate is available in 21 mg per 1 ml. how many milliliters would be drawn for this dosage? after calculating the dosage, determine if the dosage is therapeutic. if it is not, what is the correct therapeutic dosage? for this dosage ml would be drawn. (type an integer or a decimal.)

Explanation:

Step1: Convert pounds to kilograms

Since \(1\) kg \( = 2.2\) pounds, the weight of the child in kg is \(w=\frac{76}{2.2}\approx34.55\) kg.

Step2: Calculate the volume of morphine sulfate to be drawn

Using the formula \(V=\frac{D}{H}\times Q\), where \(D = 12.6\) mg (desired dose), \(H=21\) mg (dose on - hand), and \(Q = 1\) mL (quantity). Then \(V=\frac{12.6}{21}\times1 = 0.6\) mL.

Step3: Check the therapeutic range

The lower - limit of the recommended dose: \(0.1\times34.55 = 3.455\) mg. The upper - limit of the recommended dose: \(0.2\times34.55=6.91\) mg. The ordered dose of \(12.6\) mg is higher than the upper - limit (\(6.91\) mg).

Step4: Calculate the correct therapeutic dose (upper - limit)

Using \(V=\frac{D}{H}\times Q\) with \(D = 6.91\) mg, \(H = 21\) mg, and \(Q = 1\) mL. \(V=\frac{6.91}{21}\times1\approx0.33\) mL.

Answer:

For the ordered dosage, \(0.6\) mL would be drawn. The ordered dosage is not therapeutic. The correct therapeutic dosage (using the upper - limit of the recommended range) would result in approximately \(0.33\) mL.