The nurse is caring for a client with a staph infection. The client has orders for vancomycin 15 mg/kg per 12 hours. The client weighs 136 pounds. How much of this medication will the client receive every 12 hours?

Answer: The client will receive 930 mg of vancomycin every 12 hours.

Solution: Convert pounds to kilograms: 136/2.2 kg. Round up to find patient’s weight in kilograms: = 61.8 kg = 62 kg. Multiply milligrams of vancomycin by client’s weight in kilograms: 15 mg × 62 kg. Solve for dose per 12 hours: = 930 mg.