A 70 kg patient develops febrile neutropenia after chemotherapy and is prescribed filgrastim 5 mcg/kg subQ every 12 hours. The vial contains 300 mcg/mL. How many milliliters should be administered?

A 70 kg patient develops febrile neutropenia after chemotherapy and is prescribed filgrastim 5 mcg/kg subQ every 12 hours. The vial contains 300 mcg/mL. How many milliliters should be administered?

• A. 0.8
• B. 1.2
• C. 1.6
• D. 2.0

Answer: (B)

When a dose is given per kilogram, first find the total micrograms needed per administration, then convert that amount to milliliters using the vial’s concentration. For this patient: weight is 70 kg and the dose is 5 mcg per kg. Total per dose = 70 × 5 = 350 mcg. The vial is 300 mcg per mL, so the volume to draw = 350 mcg ÷ 300 mcg/mL ≈ 1.17 mL. Round to the nearest tenth for practical dosing, giving 1.2 mL per dose.

When a dose is given per kilogram, first find the total micrograms needed per administration, then convert that amount to milliliters using the vial’s concentration.

For this patient: weight is 70 kg and the dose is 5 mcg per kg. Total per dose = 70 × 5 = 350 mcg. The vial is 300 mcg per mL, so the volume to draw = 350 mcg ÷ 300 mcg/mL ≈ 1.17 mL. Round to the nearest tenth for practical dosing, giving 1.2 mL per dose.