What is the correct advice for giving paracetamol 120 mg/5 mL oral suspension to an 8-week-old around vaccination?

• A. 2.5 mL up to four times daily starting at vaccination
• B. 0.5 mL every 6 hours for 2 days
• C. Do not give at vaccination
• D. 5 mL every 6 hours for 3 days

Answer: (A)

The key idea is weight-based dosing of paracetamol for a young infant, given at a safe interval around vaccination. An 8-week-old baby weighs roughly 4 kg, and the usual dose for fever or discomfort is about 15 mg per kilogram per dose, given every 4–6 hours as needed, with a maximum of around 60 mg per dose and up to 4 doses in 24 hours.

The suspension is 120 mg per 5 mL, which is 24 mg per mL. A 60 mg dose (15 mg/kg for a ~4 kg infant) equals 2.5 mL. Giving 2.5 mL every 6 hours starting at vaccination provides 60 mg per dose and up to four doses in 24 hours, meeting both the weight-based dosing and the usual dosing interval.

This option is appropriate because it uses the correct per-dose amount (60 mg) and the correct dosing frequency (every 6 hours, up to four times in 24 hours). The other options either underdose, overdose per dose, or misstate timing around vaccination.