A 15 kg child requires amoxicillin 20 mg/kg per dose three times daily using an oral suspension of 250 mg/5 mL. What volume per dose is required?

A 15 kg child requires amoxicillin 20 mg/kg per dose three times daily using an oral suspension of 250 mg/5 mL. What volume per dose is required?

• A. 4 mL
• B. 8 mL
• C. 12 mL
• D. 6 mL

Answer: (D)

Calculating the volume from a mg/kg dose and a liquid concentration. First determine the amount of drug needed per dose: 15 kg × 20 mg/kg = 300 mg per dose. The suspension provides 250 mg in 5 mL, which is 50 mg per mL. To obtain 300 mg, you need 300 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 6 mL. So each dose is 6 mL (given three times daily).

Calculating the volume from a mg/kg dose and a liquid concentration. First determine the amount of drug needed per dose: 15 kg × 20 mg/kg = 300 mg per dose. The suspension provides 250 mg in 5 mL, which is 50 mg per mL. To obtain 300 mg, you need 300 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 6 mL. So each dose is 6 mL (given three times daily).