Which of the following is an example of a correct medication order?

• A. acetaminophen 15 mg/kg PO every 4 hours PRN
• B. acetaminophen 15 mg/kg IV every 6 hours
• C. acetaminophen 150 mg/kg PO every 4 hours
• D. acetaminophen 15 mg/kg PO every 2 hours PRN

Answer: (A)

Weight-based dosing with a clear route and a safe, reasonable dosing interval is what makes a medication order appropriate. acetaminophen 15 mg/kg PO every 4 hours PRN uses a per-dose amount based on the child’s weight, specifies the route (oral), and sets a practical PRN interval that aligns with common pediatric guidelines for acetaminophen dosing. This structure helps ensure the child receives an effective dose without drifting into unsafe daily totals, since there is a daily maximum to prevent hepatotoxicity.

The other options raise concerns: a dose of 150 mg/kg per dose is far too high for any single administration, risking overdose; a schedule of every 2 hours PRN is unnecessarily frequent and increases the risk of cumulative excess; and a IV option, while sometimes appropriate, may not reflect the typical per-dose weight-based approach or daily maximum considerations in this context. Overall, the weight-based, oral, every-4-hours PRN format best demonstrates a correct, safely structured medication order.