HENKE'S MED-MATH
DOSAGE CALCULATION, PREPARATION
& ADMINISTRATION
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SUSAN BUCHHOLZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Multiplying Whole Numbers
Stem
A provider orders acetaminophen 4 tablets every 6 hours for 5
days. The medication is supplied as 500 mg tablets. How many
tablets will the nurse document as the total number of tablets
administered during the 5-day course?
Options
A. 24 tablets
B. 40 tablets
,C. 60 tablets
D. 80 tablets
Correct Answer
D. 80 tablets
Rationales
Correct (D): Calculate doses per day: 24 hours ÷ 6 hours = 4
doses/day. Tablets per dose = 4 tablets. Total tablets = 4
tablets/dose × 4 doses/day × 5 days = 80 tablets. This uses
whole-number multiplication per Henke’s approach.
A (24): Error: calculated 4 doses × 6 days or misread days;
underestimates total and risks unfinished therapy.
B (40): Error: computed 4 tablets × 4 doses/day × 2.5 days
(likely halved days); incorrect scaling.
C (60): Error: likely multiplied 4 tablets × 3 doses/day × 5 days;
wrong number of doses/day.
Teaching Point
Multiply doses/day by tablets/dose and days; keep units
consistent.
Citation
Buchholz, S. (2024). Henke’s Med-Math: Dosage Calculation,
Preparation & Administration (10th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Dividing Whole Numbers
,Stem
A provider orders 250 mg of medication PO once. The stock
available is scored 500 mg tablets. How many tablets should the
nurse administer?
Options
A. 0.25 tablet
B. 0.5 tablet
C. 1 tablet
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer
B. 0.5 tablet
Rationales
Correct (B): Convert: required 250 mg ÷ available 500 mg/tablet
= 0.5 tablet. Henke’s method: maintain same units (mg) and
divide. Administer half of a scored tablet only if policy and
tablet are safely scored.
A (0.25): Error: divided 250 by 1000 or misread available
strength; results in underdosing.
C (1): Error: gave full tablet (500 mg) → double ordered dose.
D (2): Error: fourfold overdose; arithmetic mistake in division.
Teaching Point
Always convert to the same unit (mg) and divide prescribed
dose by available strength.
Citation
Buchholz, S. (2024). Henke’s Med-Math: Dosage Calculation,
Preparation & Administration (10th ed.). Ch. 1.
, 3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Fractions
Stem
A pediatric provider orders ¾ teaspoon (tsp) of an oral liquid
antibiotic. The medication cup labels 1 tablespoon (Tbsp) = 3
tsp. How many tablespoons should the nurse measure to give ¾
tsp?
Options
A. ¼ Tbsp
B. ½ Tbsp
C. ¾ Tbsp
D. 1 Tbsp
Correct Answer
A. ¼ Tbsp
Rationales
Correct (A): Convert: ¾ tsp × (1 Tbsp / 3 tsp) = (0.) Tbsp =
0.25 Tbsp = ¼ Tbsp. Use fraction reduction and unit cancellation
per Henke’s fraction rules.
B (½ Tbsp): Error: treated ¾ tsp as 1.5 tsp or misapplied
conversion; gives 1.5× intended volume.
C (¾ Tbsp): Error: used 1:1 conversion (tsp→Tbsp) incorrectly;
large overdose.
D (1 Tbsp): Error: tenfold overestimation relative to ¾ tsp.
DOSAGE CALCULATION, PREPARATION
& ADMINISTRATION
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SUSAN BUCHHOLZ
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Multiplying Whole Numbers
Stem
A provider orders acetaminophen 4 tablets every 6 hours for 5
days. The medication is supplied as 500 mg tablets. How many
tablets will the nurse document as the total number of tablets
administered during the 5-day course?
Options
A. 24 tablets
B. 40 tablets
,C. 60 tablets
D. 80 tablets
Correct Answer
D. 80 tablets
Rationales
Correct (D): Calculate doses per day: 24 hours ÷ 6 hours = 4
doses/day. Tablets per dose = 4 tablets. Total tablets = 4
tablets/dose × 4 doses/day × 5 days = 80 tablets. This uses
whole-number multiplication per Henke’s approach.
A (24): Error: calculated 4 doses × 6 days or misread days;
underestimates total and risks unfinished therapy.
B (40): Error: computed 4 tablets × 4 doses/day × 2.5 days
(likely halved days); incorrect scaling.
C (60): Error: likely multiplied 4 tablets × 3 doses/day × 5 days;
wrong number of doses/day.
Teaching Point
Multiply doses/day by tablets/dose and days; keep units
consistent.
Citation
Buchholz, S. (2024). Henke’s Med-Math: Dosage Calculation,
Preparation & Administration (10th ed.). Ch. 1.
2
Reference
Ch. 1 — Dividing Whole Numbers
,Stem
A provider orders 250 mg of medication PO once. The stock
available is scored 500 mg tablets. How many tablets should the
nurse administer?
Options
A. 0.25 tablet
B. 0.5 tablet
C. 1 tablet
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer
B. 0.5 tablet
Rationales
Correct (B): Convert: required 250 mg ÷ available 500 mg/tablet
= 0.5 tablet. Henke’s method: maintain same units (mg) and
divide. Administer half of a scored tablet only if policy and
tablet are safely scored.
A (0.25): Error: divided 250 by 1000 or misread available
strength; results in underdosing.
C (1): Error: gave full tablet (500 mg) → double ordered dose.
D (2): Error: fourfold overdose; arithmetic mistake in division.
Teaching Point
Always convert to the same unit (mg) and divide prescribed
dose by available strength.
Citation
Buchholz, S. (2024). Henke’s Med-Math: Dosage Calculation,
Preparation & Administration (10th ed.). Ch. 1.
, 3
Reference
Ch. 1 — Fractions
Stem
A pediatric provider orders ¾ teaspoon (tsp) of an oral liquid
antibiotic. The medication cup labels 1 tablespoon (Tbsp) = 3
tsp. How many tablespoons should the nurse measure to give ¾
tsp?
Options
A. ¼ Tbsp
B. ½ Tbsp
C. ¾ Tbsp
D. 1 Tbsp
Correct Answer
A. ¼ Tbsp
Rationales
Correct (A): Convert: ¾ tsp × (1 Tbsp / 3 tsp) = (0.) Tbsp =
0.25 Tbsp = ¼ Tbsp. Use fraction reduction and unit cancellation
per Henke’s fraction rules.
B (½ Tbsp): Error: treated ¾ tsp as 1.5 tsp or misapplied
conversion; gives 1.5× intended volume.
C (¾ Tbsp): Error: used 1:1 conversion (tsp→Tbsp) incorrectly;
large overdose.
D (1 Tbsp): Error: tenfold overestimation relative to ¾ tsp.
