A nurse calculates that a child weighing 44 lb should receive a medication of 6 mg/kg. What is the total dose in mg?

To determine the correct total dose of medication for the child, we first need to convert the child's weight from pounds to kilograms. The standard conversion is that 1 kilogram is approximately equal to 2.2 pounds. So, we can calculate the weight in kilograms as follows:

44 lb is divided by 2.2 lb/kg, which gives us approximately 20 kg (44 ÷ 2.2 = 20).

Next, since the medication is prescribed at a dosage of 6 mg per kilogram of body weight, we multiply the child's weight in kilograms by the prescribed dosage:

20 kg × 6 mg/kg = 120 mg.

Thus, the total dose the child should receive is 120 mg. This rationale and calculation directly lead to the correct choice, as it reflects the appropriate method for calculating medication dosages based on body weight.