Dosages by weight

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Accurately weighing clients is crucial to avoid overdosing or under dosing

weight at time of admission is taken, but weight may fluctuate during course of stay in hospital due to sickness, fluid intake, stress, etc.

- dosages may change according to provider

- know which weight the provider is using

Infants and small children

- very important for accurate dosing

- 16 oz =1 lb

Mg/Kg/day

- 5mg/Kg/day

- how many doses per day?

Calculate by desired versus have: X= quantity/have x conversion(have)/conversion(desired) x desired

every medication has a different dosage

- recommended dosage range

- medication reference book

- varies on age, weight, diagnosis, condition, route of administration

- higher dosage: unsafe

- lower dosage: non-therapeutic

- evaluate if the dosage is within the safe range

- evaluate of every medication

- evaluate within the same unit of measurement