Question

A nurse is preparing to administer valproic acid (depakote) 45 mg/kg/day po divided in equal doses every 8 hr to a child who weighs 66 lb. available is valproic acid syrup 250 mg/5 ml. how many ml should the nurse administer per dose

Answer 1

Dose of the valporic acid (depakote) is 45 mg/kg/day. The weight of the child is 66 lb (30 kg). By multiplying child's weight with per kg dose, we found dose of valporic acid (depakote), which is 1350 mg per day. And dividing this day dose with 3 we get per dose quantity which is 450 mg. The syrup contains 250 mg valporic acid / 5 ml, which means 50 mg / 1 ml. 1 ml syrup contains 50 mg volporic acid, than 9 ml syrup contains 450 mg volporic acid. The nurse will administer 9ml syrup to child.