NAME: __________________________________________
Calculate the dosage safety for the following orders:
1. Hycet (325mg acetaminophen/7.5mg hydrocodone per 15 ml) administer 1.5 tsp po every 4 hours as
needed for pain is ordered for a 7-year old patient. The patient weighs 30.9 kg.
a. 1.5 tsp/dose x 5 ml = 7.5 ml/dose
1 tsp
b. 7.5ml/dose x 7.5 mg hydrocodone = 3.75 mg hydrocodone/dose
15 ml
c. Hydrocodone safe dose range
i. 30.9 Kg x 0.1 mg/Kg/dose = 3.0 mg/dose
ii. 30.9 Kg x 0.2 mg/Kg/dose = 6.2 mg/dose
d. Safety
i. 3.8 mg hydrocodone/dose falls within 3.0 – 6.2 mg/hydrocodone/safe dose range = Safe
dose
ii. Ordered every 4 hours and safe administration frequency is every 3-4 hours = Safe
frequency
2. Hycet (22mg acetaminophen/0.5mg hydrocodone per mL) administer 5.5 ml po q 4 hours prn pain. Pt. is 15
months old and weighs 13.8 kg.
a. 5.5 ml/dose x 0.5 mg hydrocodone = 2.8 mg hydrocodone/dose
1 ml
b. Hydrocodone safe dose range
i. 13.8 Kg x 0.1 mg/Kg/dose = 1.4 mg/dose
ii. 13.8 Kg x 0.2 mg/Kg/dose = 2.8 mg/dose
c. Safety
i. 1.4 mg hydrocodone/safe low dose < 2.8 mg/hydrocodone/dose ordered < 2.8
mg/hydrocodone/safe high dose = Safe and appropriate dose
ii. Ordered every 4 hours and safe administration frequency is every 3-4 hours = Safe
frequency
3. Norco (5mg hydrocodone/325 mg acetaminophen per tab). Give 1 tab every 2 hours prn pain. Pt. is 10 years
old and weighs 48 kg.
a. 1 tab/dose = 5 mg hydrocodone/dose
b. Hydrocodone safe dose range
i. 48 Kg x 0.1 mg/Kg/dose = 4.8 mg/dose
ii. 48 Kg x 0.2 mg/Kg/dose = 9.6 mg/dose
c. Safety
i. 4.8 mg hydrocodone/safe low dose < 5 mg hydrocodone/dose ordered < 9.6
mg/hydrocodone/safe high dose = Safe and appropriate dose
ii. Ordered every 2 hours and safe administration frequency is every 3-4 hours = Unsafe
frequency
NURS 2375/Medication Problems-ANSWERS_rev/2019/JB