An ibuprofen suspension for infants contains 100 mg / 5.0 mL suspension. The recommended dose is

step 1 For an ibuprofen suspension, let's calculate the milliliters that should be given to an infant w

An ibuprofen suspension for infants contains 100 mg / 5.0 mL...

An ibuprofen suspension for infants contains 100 $\mathrm{mg} / 5.0 \mathrm{mL}$ suspension. The recommended dose is 10 $\mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{kg}$ body weight. How many
$\mathrm{mL}$ of this suspension should be given to an infant weighing 18 lbs?
(Assume two significant figures.)

Key Concepts

Unit Conversion

This concept involves converting one measurement unit to another. In pharmaceutical calculations, it's common to convert weights (such as pounds to kilograms) to ensure consistency with dosing guidelines, which are often provided in standard units like mg/kg. Accurate unit conversion is essential for ensuring that the dosing is appropriate for the patient’s weight.

Concentration

Concentration refers to the amount of drug contained in a specific volume of liquid, expressed as mg/mL or similar units. Understanding concentration allows one to determine how much of the drug is present in a given volume of suspension, and is crucial for converting between the amount of drug required and the volume of the suspension to be administered.

Dose Calculation

This key concept involves determining the total amount of medication needed based on a per-unit body weight recommendation. The calculation typically multiplies the prescribed dose (mg per kg) by the patient’s weight (in kg) to establish the total required dose in milligrams. Such calculations are vital in ensuring therapeutic and safe dosing.

Proportional Reasoning

Proportional reasoning is the process of setting up ratios to relate different quantities, such as the calculated dose in mg and the concentration of the suspension. By forming a proportion, one can solve for the unknown volume of medication that contains the required amount of active ingredient, ensuring the correct dose is given.

Significant Figures

The use of significant figures ensures that numerical results are reported with appropriate precision based on the input data. In pharmaceutical calculations, acknowledging significant figures helps maintain accuracy and reliability in dosing, especially when measurement precision is limited.

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