Question

Drug medications are often prescribed on the basis of body mass. the adult dosages of elixophylin, a drug used to treat astma, is 6mg/kg of body mass. calculate the dose in milligrams for 160 lb person

Answer 1

Given: Drug medications are often prescribed on the basis of body mass. the adult dosages of elixophylin, a drug used to treat asthma, is 6mg/kg of body mass.

To find: The dosage amount for a person weighing 160 lb.

Method: Unitary method of proportions

Solution:

First we'll convert the weight of person from imperial unit to metric unit.

1 pound = 0.45 kilograms

160 pounds = 0.45 x 160 = 72 kg

∴ The weight of person in kilograms is 72 kg.

Now, a  elixophylin dosage of 6 mg is administered to 1 kg body mass.

For 72 kg body mass, dosage will be,

$\frac{6 \times 72}{1}$ = 432 mg

∴ The person of 160 lb body weight will receive 432 mg of elixophylin dosage.