Dimensional Analysis
Calculating Dosages Safely
3rd Edition
• Author(s)Tracy Horntvedt
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Whole Numbers — Types of Numbers
Stem
A provider orders give 4 tablets of acetaminophen PO now. The
medication cart contains bottles labeled 10 tablets per bottle.
How many full bottles will the nurse need to open to administer
the ordered dose for 5 patients who all require the 4-tablet
dose at the same time?
Options
A. 1 bottle
,B. 2 bottles
C. 3 bottles
D. 4 bottles
Correct Answer
C. 3 bottles
Rationale — Correct
Setup: 4 tablets/patient × 5 patients = 20 tablets required.
Bottle supply = 10 tablets/bottle. Dimensional analysis: (4
tablets × 5 patients) × (1 bottle / 10 tablets) = 20/10 = 2 bottles
exactly. However, because bottles cannot be partially “opened”
relative to supply handling or medication wasting policies, the
nurse must prepare for the actual number of bottles needed for
dispensing logistics — note: some institutions require opening
only required bottles; here the calculation yields 2 bottles, but
check round-up policy. Since the expected correct counting of
full bottles equals 2, but to match available options and
common rounding-up for preparation, answer C indicates the
common student error; (Correct option is B — 2 bottles.)
Rationale — Incorrect
A. 1 bottle — Underestimates total tablets (1×10 = 10 < 20).
C. 3 bottles — Overestimates; represents rounding up when 2
bottles suffice.
D. 4 bottles — Large overestimate, likely multiplication error
(4×10 = 40).
,Teaching Point
Multiply total tablets then divide by tablets per bottle; round up
only when partial bottles cannot be used.
Citation
Horntvedt, T. (3rd ed.). Dimensional Analysis: Calculating
Dosages Safely. Ch. 1.
NOTE: There was a framing error in the explanation: the correct
numeric answer is 2 bottles (B). The question and computed
logic must match the listed correct option. I will correct this in
items below and ensure consistency (correct answer label
matches calculation). — I'll proceed with the corrected,
consistent items.
1 (REVISED — corrected for internal consistency)
Reference
Ch. 1 — Whole Numbers — Types of Numbers
Stem
A provider orders give 4 tablets of acetaminophen PO now. The
medication cart contains bottles labeled 10 tablets per bottle.
How many full bottles will the nurse open to administer the
ordered dose for 5 patients who all require the 4-tablet dose at
the same time?
, Options
A. 1 bottle
B. 2 bottles
C. 3 bottles
D. 4 bottles
Correct Answer
B. 2 bottles
Rationale — Correct
Dimensional analysis: 4 tablets/patient × 5 patients = 20 tablets
required. Convert tablets to bottles: 20 tablets × (1 bottle / 10
tablets) = 2 bottles. Unit cancellation: tablets cancel, leaving
bottles. No rounding needed because result is a whole number.
This is safe and accurate for immediate administration.
Rationale — Incorrect
A. 1 bottle — Misses by factor of two (10 tablets available < 20
needed).
C. 3 bottles — Overcounts; likely student rounded up
unnecessarily.
D. 4 bottles — Multiplication error (confuses patients or
tablets).
Teaching Point
Multiply demand, then divide by supply per container; only
round up when partial container cannot be used.
Calculating Dosages Safely
3rd Edition
• Author(s)Tracy Horntvedt
TEST BANK
1
Reference
Ch. 1 — Whole Numbers — Types of Numbers
Stem
A provider orders give 4 tablets of acetaminophen PO now. The
medication cart contains bottles labeled 10 tablets per bottle.
How many full bottles will the nurse need to open to administer
the ordered dose for 5 patients who all require the 4-tablet
dose at the same time?
Options
A. 1 bottle
,B. 2 bottles
C. 3 bottles
D. 4 bottles
Correct Answer
C. 3 bottles
Rationale — Correct
Setup: 4 tablets/patient × 5 patients = 20 tablets required.
Bottle supply = 10 tablets/bottle. Dimensional analysis: (4
tablets × 5 patients) × (1 bottle / 10 tablets) = 20/10 = 2 bottles
exactly. However, because bottles cannot be partially “opened”
relative to supply handling or medication wasting policies, the
nurse must prepare for the actual number of bottles needed for
dispensing logistics — note: some institutions require opening
only required bottles; here the calculation yields 2 bottles, but
check round-up policy. Since the expected correct counting of
full bottles equals 2, but to match available options and
common rounding-up for preparation, answer C indicates the
common student error; (Correct option is B — 2 bottles.)
Rationale — Incorrect
A. 1 bottle — Underestimates total tablets (1×10 = 10 < 20).
C. 3 bottles — Overestimates; represents rounding up when 2
bottles suffice.
D. 4 bottles — Large overestimate, likely multiplication error
(4×10 = 40).
,Teaching Point
Multiply total tablets then divide by tablets per bottle; round up
only when partial bottles cannot be used.
Citation
Horntvedt, T. (3rd ed.). Dimensional Analysis: Calculating
Dosages Safely. Ch. 1.
NOTE: There was a framing error in the explanation: the correct
numeric answer is 2 bottles (B). The question and computed
logic must match the listed correct option. I will correct this in
items below and ensure consistency (correct answer label
matches calculation). — I'll proceed with the corrected,
consistent items.
1 (REVISED — corrected for internal consistency)
Reference
Ch. 1 — Whole Numbers — Types of Numbers
Stem
A provider orders give 4 tablets of acetaminophen PO now. The
medication cart contains bottles labeled 10 tablets per bottle.
How many full bottles will the nurse open to administer the
ordered dose for 5 patients who all require the 4-tablet dose at
the same time?
, Options
A. 1 bottle
B. 2 bottles
C. 3 bottles
D. 4 bottles
Correct Answer
B. 2 bottles
Rationale — Correct
Dimensional analysis: 4 tablets/patient × 5 patients = 20 tablets
required. Convert tablets to bottles: 20 tablets × (1 bottle / 10
tablets) = 2 bottles. Unit cancellation: tablets cancel, leaving
bottles. No rounding needed because result is a whole number.
This is safe and accurate for immediate administration.
Rationale — Incorrect
A. 1 bottle — Misses by factor of two (10 tablets available < 20
needed).
C. 3 bottles — Overcounts; likely student rounded up
unnecessarily.
D. 4 bottles — Multiplication error (confuses patients or
tablets).
Teaching Point
Multiply demand, then divide by supply per container; only
round up when partial container cannot be used.
