Question

a pediatrician prescribes a medication for a 5 - year - old child, with the dosage listed as “x mg/kg/day, divided over 3 doses a day.” which of the following actions should the medical assistant take to determine how much medication the child should receive per dose?measure and record the child’s height.convert the child’s weight to kilograms.multiply the daily dose by three.ask the provider to clarify how much medication should be given in each dose.

Explanation:

The dosage is given as \(x\) mg/kg/day. To calculate the daily dose, the child's weight in kilograms is needed (since the unit is per kilogram). Once the daily dose (in mg) is calculated (by multiplying \(x\) by the child's weight in kg), it is divided by 3 (for 3 doses a day). So, converting the child's weight to kilograms is the first necessary step. Measuring height is not relevant for this dosage calculation. Multiplying the daily dose by three would be incorrect (the daily dose is divided by three for per - dose calculation). Asking the provider to clarify is not necessary as the formula \( \text{Per - dose amount}=\frac{x\times\text{weight (kg)}}{3}\) can be used once the weight in kg is known.

Answer:

Convert the child’s weight to kilograms.