Proportion Solution

Question

The prescriber orders 13 mg of a medication for every 10 pounds (lb) of a person's weight. How much medication should be given for a person who weighs 195 lb? 

Answer 1

In order to figure out how many mg of medication the 195 lb. patient needs, we need to set up a proportion...

13 mg/10 lb = X mg/195 lb.

10X = 13 x 195

10X = 2535

X = 253.5 mg

The patient should receive 253.5mg of the medication if they weigh 195 lb.

Answer 2

Or to set it up as ratio proportion

Known = Unknown

10 lbs : 13 mg = 195 lb : X

Answer 3

"The prescriber orders 13 mg of a medication for every 10 pounds (lb) of a person's weight. How much medication should be given for a person who weighs 195 lb?"

195 divided by 10 = 19.5. Multiply 19.5 by 13 = 253.5, rounded up to 254. Dose is 254 mg.

Answer 4

13 mg of medication for every 10 pounds means that, 13 mg of medication = 10 lbs

195 lb x 13 mg of medication = 254 mg of medication

10 lbs