A physician desires a dose of 10 mcg/kg of digoxin for an 8-lb newborn child. How many milliliters of an injection containing 0.25 mg of digoxin per milliliter should be given?

Answer 1

Step by step:

10 mcg/kg for an 8 lb child. Find total number of mcg needed.

8 lb x 1 kg / 2.2 lbs = 3.64 kg

10 mcg/kg x 3.64 kg = 36.4 mcg needed

Now convert this to mg since the injection solution is given as 0.25 mg. We could also convert the 0.25 mg digoxin/ml to mcg/ml. Either way will work. I'll do it both ways.

36.4 mcg x 1 mg/1000 mcg = 0.0364 mg

0.25 mg/ml x 1000 mcg/mg = 250 mcg/ml

Find mls of solution needed to provide the needed 36.4 mcg (0.0364 mg)

36.4 mcg x 1 ml / 250 mcg = 0.15 mls

0.0364 mg x 1 ml / 0.25 mg = 0.15 mls

Please be sure to check my math and decimal points.