the recommended dosage of the drug ampicillin for pediatric patients is 200 mg kilogram of the patients weight how many mg of ampicillin should be given to a patient who weighs 39 pounds

Question

the recommended dosage of the drug ampicillin  for pediatric patients is 200 mg kilogram of the patients weight how many mg of ampicillin should be given to a patient who weighs 39 pounds

nottim · Answer

how much does a pediatric patient weigh?

anonymous · Answer

39 pounds

nottim · Answer

so then its ratios?

nottim · Answer

wait, converting mg into pounds?

abb0t · Answer

I thought 79 kg was avg weight for a male?

campbell_st · Answer

you need to change the 39 lb to kilograms.. 

1kg is approx 2.205 lb

so find weight in kg by dividing 39/2.205 =

campbell_st · Answer

once you know the weight in kilograms then its 

200 mg x number ok kgs=

whpalmer4 · Answer

Safest thing to do is include the units in the whole calculation.

Dose = 200 mg per kg of body weight

 $$Dose =  \frac{200 mg}{1 kg}* 39 lb * \frac{1 kg}{2.205 lb} = 3537.4 mg$$

When all the units are canceled out, we're left with mg.  If we set the equation up wrong, the units won't cancel in a sensible fashion.