Question

A child's oral Motrin Suspension contains \(100 \mathrm{mg}\) per teaspoonful. \(20 \mathrm{mg}\) represents what part of a dosage? ______

Short answer

20 mg is one-fifth of the dosage.

Step-by-step solution

Understand the Dosage

The problem states that a child's oral Motrin Suspension contains 100 mg per teaspoon. This means every teaspoon of the suspension has 100 mg of medicine.

Relate 20 mg to 100 mg

We need to determine what fraction of the total 100 mg dosage is represented by 20 mg. This can be set up as a fraction: \( \frac{20}{100} \).

Simplify the Fraction

To find out the fraction represented, simplify the fraction \( \frac{20}{100} \). Divide both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 20. \( \frac{20 \div 20}{100 \div 20} = \frac{1}{5} \).

Interpret the Result

The value \( \frac{1}{5} \) indicates that 20 mg is one-fifth of a 100 mg dosage.

Key concepts

Understanding Oral Suspension

Oral suspension refers to a liquid form of medication that's often prescribed for children and those unable to swallow pills. These suspensions are unique because

• They contain medication particles suspended in a liquid; they're not completely dissolved.
• Before giving the medication, it's crucial to shake the bottle well to ensure an even distribution of the medication particles.
• They are usually flavored to make it more palatable for children.

The suspension allows for flexible dosing which is particularly advantageous in pediatric cases. The concentration of the medicine is expressed in specific units per volume, such as "100 mg per teaspoon." This indicates how much of the active ingredient is present in each measurable dose.

Fractions in Dosage Calculations

Using fractions in dosage calculations helps ensure the correct amount of medication is administered, especially when adjusting doses based on specific needs. For example, the original exercise describes a situation where

• 100 mg is the total dose available in one teaspoon of suspension.
• 20 mg needs to be expressed as a part of this dose.

To find what fraction 20 mg is of 100 mg, you write it as a fraction: \( \frac{20}{100} \). This simplifies to \( \frac{1}{5} \) by dividing both the numerator and the denominator by their greatest common divisor, which is 20. Understanding how to simplify fractions is key in medication dosage to ensure safety and efficacy.

The Importance of Medication Measurement

Medication measurement is crucial in ensuring patient safety and effectiveness of the treatment. Using accurate measurement tools is vital, such as a calibrated syringe, a dosing cup, or a medicine spoon as recommended by healthcare professionals. It's important to never use household teaspoons or tablespoons as these vary greatly in volume. Here are a few tips:

• Always follow the medication guide provided by the healthcare provider or included with the medication.
• Measure liquid medicines while on a flat surface with eye-level view to ensure accuracy.
• Double-check calculations and measurements, particularly when fractions are involved in dosage adjustments.

Proper measurement prevents administering too much or too little medication, which can cause side effects or reduce effectiveness.

Pediatric Dosing

Pediatric dosing is the practice of calculating safe and effective medicine doses specifically for children. Since children are not "small adults," dosing must consider factors such as body weight, age, and the maturity of developing organs. Here are essential points about pediatric dosing:

• It often utilizes oral suspensions for ease of administration.
• Fractions are commonly used to adjust amounts accurately per child's requirements.
• Body surface area or weight-based formulas, such as mg/kg, are frequently applied to determine proper dosages.

Pediatric doses are carefully calculated to be both safe and therapeutically effective, minimizing the risk of side effects and ensuring the medication works properly.