Question

jack age 12, has developed a cough, a fever and a runny nose. The physican orders : robitussin 2 tsp Q8h po prn for cough up to 30 cc per day. Tylenol 325 mg 1 tab po prn Q4h for temp above 100 up to 6 doses in 24 hours. Jack has no known allergies. What is the total number of tylenol tablets jack can have in 24 hours? Is it 4?

Answer 1

the maximum amount of a drug that a patient can take is usually based on the body weight of the patient.

Her, the patient's weight is not given. using expected weight of a 12 year old, the child's weight should be 40 kilograms or more.

The maximum dose of paracetamol advised is 60mg/kg/day.

The order is Paracetamol325mg Q4H

So, this means , one paracetamol tablet to be taken every 4 hours if the child has fever.

So, maximum of 6 tablets can be taken. This would make the total dose: 6x325 =1950 mg

This is below the maximum dose of Jack's expected weight: 40 x 60 =2400mg/day.

Hence the answer is 6 tablets