What is the maximum acetaminophen dose for a febrile pediatric patient?

What is the maximum acetaminophen dose for a febrile pediatric patient?

• A. 240 mg
• B. 480 mg
• C. 600 mg
• D. 360 mg

Answer: (B)

Weight-based dosing is the key: acetaminophen is given per kilogram of body weight, with a typical maximum per-dose of about 15 mg per kilogram. Doses are given every 4–6 hours as needed, up to five doses in 24 hours, and the daily total should stay within safe limits (roughly 75 mg/kg/day in children). If the child weighs 32 kg, the maximum per-dose would be 15 mg/kg × 32 kg = 480 mg. That’s why 480 mg best fits the maximum per-dose rule for a pediatric patient of that weight. The other amounts correspond to different hypothetical weights (for example, 240 mg would be 15 mg/kg for a lighter child around 16 kg, 360 mg for about 24 kg, and 600 mg for around 40 kg), but without knowing weight, the listed 480 mg is the correct per-dose maximum aligned with a typical pediatric weight scenario and the standard dosing guideline.

Weight-based dosing is the key: acetaminophen is given per kilogram of body weight, with a typical maximum per-dose of about 15 mg per kilogram. Doses are given every 4–6 hours as needed, up to five doses in 24 hours, and the daily total should stay within safe limits (roughly 75 mg/kg/day in children).

If the child weighs 32 kg, the maximum per-dose would be 15 mg/kg × 32 kg = 480 mg. That’s why 480 mg best fits the maximum per-dose rule for a pediatric patient of that weight.

The other amounts correspond to different hypothetical weights (for example, 240 mg would be 15 mg/kg for a lighter child around 16 kg, 360 mg for about 24 kg, and 600 mg for around 40 kg), but without knowing weight, the listed 480 mg is the correct per-dose maximum aligned with a typical pediatric weight scenario and the standard dosing guideline.