A medication is dosed at 4 mg/kg. The patient weighs 5 kg. What is the dose?

A medication is dosed at 4 mg/kg. The patient weighs 5 kg. What is the dose?

• A. 18 mg
• B. 20 mg
• C. 16 mg
• D. 24 mg

Answer: (B)

Multiply the dose per kilogram by the patient’s weight: 4 mg/kg × 5 kg = 20 mg. So the total dose is 20 mg. This is a standard weight-based dosing approach used especially in pediatrics. If weight were given in pounds, you’d first convert to kilograms (divide pounds by 2.2046) before computing.

Multiply the dose per kilogram by the patient’s weight: 4 mg/kg × 5 kg = 20 mg. So the total dose is 20 mg.

This is a standard weight-based dosing approach used especially in pediatrics. If weight were given in pounds, you’d first convert to kilograms (divide pounds by 2.2046) before computing.