Safe Dose Check — weight-based reference
A dose-math reference for common medicines: enter a weight and see the common single-dose range and daily maximum, or check whether a dose you have in hand falls inside the range. Built for nursing students and caregivers who want to double-check the arithmetic.
Safe dose reference
Dosing ranges reflect common FDA-label-based references (ADA chairside guide 2018, AAP/Medscape review, WHO Model Formulary, NICE and BNF for Children), verified 2026-08-19. Ranges vary by indication and product formulation — this tool is for educational dose-math practice.
What this is for
- Nursing / NCLEX practice: weight-based dose math (lb→kg, mg/kg→mg, safe-dose checks) is a core exam skill.
- Caregiver double-checking: confirm that a measured dose matches the weight-based range before giving an OTC medicine.
- Education: understand how ranges and daily caps interact (mg/kg/day vs mg/kg/dose).
FAQ
What are the common pediatric doses for acetaminophen?
Acetaminophen is commonly dosed at 10–15 mg/kg per dose every 4–6 hours, with a maximum of 75 mg/kg per 24 hours (not exceeding 4,000 mg in 24 hours). For a 20 kg child that is 200–300 mg per dose. This tool is for educational dose-math; always check the product label.
What are the common pediatric doses for ibuprofen?
Ibuprofen is commonly dosed at 5–10 mg/kg per dose every 6–8 hours, with a maximum of 40 mg/kg per day, for children 6 months and older. For a 20 kg child that is 100–200 mg per dose. Check the label and confirm with a clinician.
Why do these dose ranges matter for nursing students?
NCLEX-style dosage questions and clinical practice require converting pounds to kilograms, computing mg/kg, and checking whether an ordered dose is safe before giving. The classic error is confusing mg/kg/day with mg/kg/dose or mis-converting lb to kg (20 lb = 9 kg, not 20 kg).