Worked example

Weight-based dose (mg/kg) - practice problem 14

A patient weighs 176 lb. The prescriber orders vancomycin 10 mg/kg/dose.

Weight176 lb
Ordered10 mg/kg/dose
Safe max20 mg/kg/dose

How many mg is the dose?

Answer: 800 mg

Step-by-step solution

1. Convert the patient's weight to kilograms
176 lb × ( 1 kg ÷ 2.2 lb )
= 80 kg
2. Multiply weight by the ordered mg/kg
80 kg × ( 10 mg ÷ 1 kg )
= 800 mg

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