Math in the Workplace - Numbers & Operations
IDAHO PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATES
Medical Services
Family Physician
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Job Description: Educate patients and wellness issues, diagnose and treat patients as problems occur. |
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Problem:
A child has a middle ear infection requiring an antibiotic that 
is dosed at 60 mg per kg a day and divided into 3 doses per day. The medication is supplied as a suspension, 250 mg / 5 ml.
How many teaspoons is each dose for a child weighing 48 pounds? How many ounces of medicine should the pharmacist dispense for an 8 day course of treatment?
Facts needed:
2.2 lbs = 1 kg
1 oz = 6 teaspoons
1 teaspoon = 5 ml
 IDAHO PHYSICIAN ASSOCIATES
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Solution:
1. How many teaspoons per dose?
48 lb
2.2 lbs |
= 21.8181 kg x 60 mg = 1309.09 mg per day |
1309.09 mg
3 doses |
= 436.36 mg per dose |
250 mg of medication in 5 ml
1 tsp = 5 ml = 250 mg of medication.
436.36 mg
250 mg/tsp |
= 1.7454545 = 1.75 teaspoons per dose |
2. How many ounces of medicine for 8 days of treatment?
3 doses/day x 8 days x 1.75 tsp/dose = 42 tsp of medicine
42 tsp
6 tsp/ounce |
= 7 ounces of medicine |