35. The pediatric dose of a medication is 25 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 12 hours. A patient weighing 66 pounds is prescribed 250 mg t.i.d. The dose as prescribed is a(n):
Answer: C
The prescribed dose is a drug overdose.
The prescribed dose of 250 mg three times a day exceeds the appropriate dosing range for the patient based on their weight. Given that the recommended pediatric dose is 25 mg/kg/day, the patient's weight must be converted to kilograms to determine the correct dosage.
A) drug scheduling error
This option is incorrect because the medication is scheduled to be taken three times a day (t.i.d), which aligns with the prescribed dosing frequency. There is no indication of a scheduling error in the administration of the medication.
B) drug underdose
This option is incorrect since a drug underdose would imply that the prescribed amount is less than the required dosage based on the patient's weight. In this case, the prescribed amount is significantly higher than what is appropriate.
C) drug overdose
This option is correct because the prescribed dose of 250 mg t.i.d totals 750 mg per day. When converted, the patient weighs 30 kg (66 pounds), which results in a recommended daily dose of 750 mg (25 mg/kg). The prescribed dosage matches the maximum allowed for the day, indicating an overdose with the frequency and total amount administered.
D) appropriate medication order
This option is incorrect as the prescribed dose of 250 mg t.i.d exceeds the recommended 750 mg total daily dose for the patient’s weight. Thus, the order is not appropriate.
Conclusion
The prescribed dosage of 250 mg t.i.d constitutes a drug overdose, as it exceeds the calculated safe dosage for the patient's weight. All other options fail to accurately describe the situation, as they either misrepresent the scheduling or dosing adequacy. The assessment underscores the importance of calculating dosage based on patient weight to ensure safe medication administration.