The nurse is caring for a child who weighs 30 kg. The physician orders gentamicin (Garamycin) tid. The recommended dosage range is 6 to 7.5 mg/kg/day. Why is it important to give a dosage within this recommended range? (Select all that apply.)

Question

A) To avoid toxic effects
B) To protect other patients
C) To reduce the risk of drug-resistant organisms
D) To eradicate the bacteria
E) To promote lactic acid removal

Answer 1

A, B, C, D
Feedback:
By administering the correct dosage, you avoid overdosage and reduce the risk of toxic effects. The correct dosage reduces the risk of creating drug-resistant organisms; it also protects both the patient and the other patients who might be susceptible to the drug-resistant organisms as well. The proper dosage is needed to eradicate the bacteria. Lactic acid removal is not related to the proper dosage and is a distracter for this question.