Calculations Using Weight and Body Surface Area

Chapter 11

1. A nurse is preparing to administer a chemotherapy medication to a patient. The provider ordered the dose based on the patient’s body surface area (BSA). The nurse has obtained an accurate weight and height and has calculated the patient’s BSA and the dosage of medication to administer. The nurse’s next step is to:
2. Administer the medication.
3. Have another nurse or pharmacist verify the BSA and dosage calculations.
4. Call the provider.
5. Notify the nursing supervisor.

Calculate the amount of medication (mcg or mg) to be administered per dose based on the patient’s weight. Round to the nearest whole number.

1. A provider orders fluorouracil 6 mg/kg/day, IV, every 12 hours for 4 days. The patient weighs 64 kg.

_____ mg

1. A provider orders palifermin 60 mcg/kg, IV, once daily for 3 days. The patient weighs 51.2 kg.

_____ mcg

1. A provider orders oprelvekin 50 mcg/kg, subcut, once daily. The patient weighs 66.9 kg.

_____ mcg

1. A provider orders lepirudin 0.4 mg/kg, IV, one dose only. The patient weighs 78 kg.

_____ mg

1. A provider orders eptifibatide 150 mcg/kg, IV, one dose now. The patient weighs 56 kg. _____ mcg
2. A provider orders pentamidine 4 mg/kg, IV, once daily. The patient weighs 82 kg.

_____ mg

1. A provider orders midazolam 0.08 mg/kg, IV, one dose prior to surgery. The patient weighs 102 kg.

_____ mg

1. A provider orders ondansetron 0.1 mg/kg, IV, every 8 hours, PRN for severe nausea. The patient weighs 47 kg.

_____ mg

1. A provider orders melphalan 200 mcg/kg/day, IV, once daily for 5 days. The patient weighs 63 kg.

_____ mcg

1. A provider orders amphotericin B 1.5 mg/kg/day, IV, once daily for 7 days. The patient weighs 30 kg.

_____ mg

Calculate the volume (mL) to be administered per dose for the following weight-based medications. Round to the nearest tenth mL.

1. A provider orders asparaginase 1,000 IU/kg, IV, once daily for 10 days. The patient weighs 62 kg. The pharmacy provides asparaginase in vials containing 10,000 IU/mL.

_____ mL

1. A provider orders glycopyrrolate 1.7 mcg/kg, IV, one dose preoperatively. The patient weighs 85 kg. The pharmacy provides glycopyrrolate in vials containing 0.2 mg/mL.

_____ mL

1. A provider orders epoetin 100 units/kg, subcut, three times weekly. The patient weighs 48 kg. The pharmacy provides epoetin in vials containing 3000 units/mL.

_____ mL

1. A provider orders azathioprine 5 mg/kg, IV, once daily. The patient weighs 68 kg. The pharmacy provides azathioprine in vials containing 100 mg/mL.

_____ mL

1. A provider orders ceftazidime 100 mg/kg/day, IV, to be administered every 8 hours. The patient weighs 14.5 kg. The pharmacy provides ceftazidime in vials containing 500 mg in 5 mL.

_____ mL

1. A provider orders ampicillin 300 mg/kg/day, IV, to be administered every 6 hours. The patient weighs 10.2 kg. The pharmacy provides ampicillin in vials containing 1 g in 4 mL. _____ mL
2. A provider orders rifampin 8 mg/kg, IV, once daily. The patient weighs 90 kg. The pharmacy provides rifampin in vials containing 50 mg/mL.

_____ mL

1. A provider orders oprelvekin 50 mcg/kg, subcut, once daily. The patient weighs 38 kg. The pharmacy provides oprelvekin in vials containing 5 mg/mL.

_____ mL

1. A provider orders betamethasone 17.5 mcg/kg/day, PO, every 8 hours. The patient weighs 17 kg. The pharmacy provides betamethasone in bottles containing 0.6 mg in 5 mL.

_____ mL

1. A provider orders acetazolamide 16 mg/kg, IV, every 6 hours. The patient weighs 27 kg. The pharmacy provides acetazolamide in vials containing 500 mg/mL.

_____ mL

Calculate the following dosages based on BSA. Round the dosage to the nearest whole mg, mcg, or unit.

1. A provider orders sargramostim 250 mcg/m², subcut, once daily. The patient weighs 225 lb and is 70 inches in height.

_____ mcg

1. A provider orders mitoxantrone 12 mg/m², IV, one dose only today. The patient weighs 160 lb and is 62 inches in height.

_____ mg

1. A provider orders docetaxel 60 mg/m², IV, once every 3 weeks. The patient weighs 188 lb and is 73 inches in height.

_____ mg

1. A provider orders cyclophosphamide 60 mg/m², IV, once daily for 6 days. The patient weighs 57 lb and is 38 inches in height.

_____ mg

1. A provider orders bleomycin 10 units/m², IM, once weekly. The patient weighs 148 lb and is 67 inches in height.

_____ units

1. A provider orders pemetrexed 500 mg/m², IV, once today. The patient weighs 68 kg and is 165 cm in height.

_____ mg

1. A provider orders melphalan 16 mg/m², IV, every 2 weeks. The patient weighs 54 kg and is 154 cm in height.

_____ mg

1. A provider orders idarubicin 12 mg/m², IV, once daily for 3 days. The patient weighs 74 kg and is 180 cm in height.

_____ mg

1. A provider orders etoposide 75 mg/m², IV, once today. The patient weighs 64 kg and is 167 cm in height.

_____ mg

1. A provider orders azacitidine 75 mg/m², IV, for 7 days. The patient weighs 80 kg and is 176 cm in height.

_____ mg

Calculate the volume (mL) of medication to be administered per dose based on BSA-based dosages. Round to the nearest tenth mL.

1. A provider orders mitoxantrone 12 mg/m², IV, one dose only today. The patient weighs 52 kg and is 147 cm in height. The pharmacy provides mitoxantrone in vials containing 2 mg/mL.

_____ mL

1. A provider orders cisplatin 75 mg/m², IV, one dose only today. The patient weighs 63 kg and is 165 cm in height. The pharmacy provides cisplatin in vials containing 10 mg/mL.

_____ mL

1. A provider orders idarubicin 12 mg/m², IV, once daily for 3 days. The patient weighs 59 kg and is 156 cm in height. The pharmacy provides idarubicin in vials containing 2 mg/mL. _____ mL
2. A provider orders ifosfamide 1.2 g/m², IV, once daily for 5 days. The patient weighs 66 kg and is 169 cm in height. The pharmacy provides ifosfamide in vials containing 250 mg/mL. _____ mL
3. A provider orders pemetrexed 500 mg/m², IV, one dose only today. The patient weighs 55 kg and is 150 cm in height. The pharmacy provides pemetrexed in vials containing 250 mg/mL.

_____ mL

1. A provider orders fluorouracil 300 mg/m², IV, one dose daily for 4 days. The patient weighs 67 kg and is 148 cm in height. The pharmacy provides fluorouracil in vials containing 50 mg/mL.

_____ mL

1. A provider orders cyclophosphamide 250 mg/m², IV, one dose daily for 6 days. The patient weighs 50 kg and is 147 cm in height. The pharmacy provides cyclophosphamide in vials containing 25 mg/mL.

_____ mL

1. A provider orders docetaxel 100 mg/m², IV, once every 3 weeks. The patient weighs 74 kg and is 163 cm in height. The pharmacy provides docetaxel in vials containing 20 mg/mL. _____ mL
2. A provider orders gemcitabine 1000 mg/m², IV, once weekly. The patient weighs 75 kg and is 178 cm in height. The pharmacy provides gemcitabine in vials containing 250 mg/mL. _____ mL
3. A provider orders oxaliplatin 85 mg/m², IV, one dose today. The patient weighs 56 kg and is 152 cm in height. The pharmacy provides oxaliplatin in vials containing 25 mg/mL.

_____ mL