The primary care pediatric nurse practitioner is prescribing ibuprofen for a 25 kg child with JIA who has oligoarthitis. If the child will take 4 doses per day, what is the maximum amount the child will receive per dose?

• A. 400 mg
• B. 250 mg
• C. 200 mg
• D. 450 mg

Answer: (B)

Dosing ibuprofen in children is weight-based and limited by a daily maximum. The usual guidance is 5–10 mg/kg per dose every 6–8 hours as needed, not exceeding 40 mg/kg per day. If there are four doses per day, the per‑dose maximum becomes 40 mg/kg divided by 4, which is 10 mg/kg per dose. For a child weighing 25 kg, that equals 250 mg per dose. So the largest amount that can be given with four doses daily without exceeding the daily limit is 250 mg per dose.