NUR 210 – DOSAGE CALCULATION EXAM – PRINCIPLES OF PHARMACOLOGY – GALEN
COLLEGE OF NURSING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Fundamental Dosage Calculation Methods (Ratio-Proportion, Formula, Dimensional Analysis)
Metric, Household, and Apothecary Unit Conversions
Oral Medication Dosage Calculations (Tablets, Capsules, Liquids)
Parenteral Medication Calculations (IM, Subcutaneous, IV Push)
IV Flow Rate and Infusion Time Calculations
Weight-Based Dosage Calculations (Pediatric and Adult)
Insulin Administration and Calculation Principles
Heparin and Critical Care Infusion Calculations
Medication Safety, Error Prevention, and Regulatory Compliance
Pharmacology Principles (Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Drug Classes)
,This comprehensive assessment evaluates nursing students' mastery of dosage calculation principles and
pharmacology fundamentals essential for safe medication administration. The exam assesses critical skills
including unit conversions, dosage calculations using multiple methods, IV flow rate computations, weight-
based dosing, and insulin/heparin calculations. Questions employ multiple-choice and scenario-based
formats that mirror real-world clinical decision-making. Emphasis is placed on accurate mathematical
computations, medication safety protocols, error prevention strategies, regulatory compliance, and
professional nursing standards. Students must demonstrate both theoretical knowledge and applied clinical
judgment necessary for competent practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
============================================================
Question 1
A physician orders 500 mg of amoxicillin oral suspension. The label reads 250 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters
should the nurse administer?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 15 mL
D. 20 mL
🟢 B. 10 mL
🔴 RATIONALE: Using the formula method: (Desired dose / Available dose) × Volume = (500 mg / 250 mg) ×
5 mL = 2 × 5 mL = 10 mL. The nurse must administer 10 mL to deliver the prescribed 500 mg dose.
,Question 2
Which pharmacokinetic phase describes how a drug moves from the site of administration into the systemic
circulation?
A. Distribution
B. Metabolism
C. Absorption
D. Excretion
🟢 C. Absorption
🔴 RATIONALE: Absorption is the first pharmacokinetic phase, referring to the movement of a drug from its
site of administration into the bloodstream. Distribution follows absorption, metabolism occurs in the liver, and
excretion is the final phase.
Question 3
A patient weighs 176 pounds. The physician orders dopamine at 5 mcg/kg/min. The available solution is 400
mg in 250 mL. What is the infusion rate in mL/hr?
A. 15 mL/hr
B. 22 mL/hr
C. 30 mL/hr
D. 45 mL/hr
🟢 C. 30 mL/hr
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Convert weight: 176 lb ÷ 2.2 = 80 kg. Calculate dose: 5 mcg/kg/min × 80 kg = 400 mcg/min
= 24,000 mcg/hr = 24 mg/hr. Solution concentration: 400 mg/250 mL = 1.6 mg/mL. Rate: 24 mg/hr ÷ 1.6
mg/mL = 15 mL/hr. Wait, recalculating: 400 mg in 250 mL = 400,000 mcg/250 mL = 1,600 mcg/mL.
Required: 400 mcg/min × 60 = 24,000 mcg/hr. Rate = 24,000 ÷ 1,600 = 15 mL/hr. Correct answer is A.
🟢 A. 15 mL/hr
🔴 RATIONALE: Convert weight: 176 lb ÷ 2.2 = 80 kg. Dose needed: 5 mcg/kg/min × 80 kg = 400 mcg/min =
24,000 mcg/hr = 24 mg/hr. Concentration: 400 mg/250 mL = 1.6 mg/mL. Infusion rate: 24 mg/hr ÷ 1.6
mg/mL = 15 mL/hr.
Question 4
What is the primary nursing intervention to prevent medication errors when administering drugs?
A. Administer medications quickly to save time
B. Follow the Six Rights of Medication Administration
C. Rely on memory for dosages
D. Skip the double-check for high-alert medications
🟢 B. Follow the Six Rights of Medication Administration
🔴 RATIONALE: The Six Rights (right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, right
documentation) are the fundamental standard for preventing medication errors. All other options increase
error risk.
COLLEGE OF NURSING QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) PLUS
RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Fundamental Dosage Calculation Methods (Ratio-Proportion, Formula, Dimensional Analysis)
Metric, Household, and Apothecary Unit Conversions
Oral Medication Dosage Calculations (Tablets, Capsules, Liquids)
Parenteral Medication Calculations (IM, Subcutaneous, IV Push)
IV Flow Rate and Infusion Time Calculations
Weight-Based Dosage Calculations (Pediatric and Adult)
Insulin Administration and Calculation Principles
Heparin and Critical Care Infusion Calculations
Medication Safety, Error Prevention, and Regulatory Compliance
Pharmacology Principles (Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Drug Classes)
,This comprehensive assessment evaluates nursing students' mastery of dosage calculation principles and
pharmacology fundamentals essential for safe medication administration. The exam assesses critical skills
including unit conversions, dosage calculations using multiple methods, IV flow rate computations, weight-
based dosing, and insulin/heparin calculations. Questions employ multiple-choice and scenario-based
formats that mirror real-world clinical decision-making. Emphasis is placed on accurate mathematical
computations, medication safety protocols, error prevention strategies, regulatory compliance, and
professional nursing standards. Students must demonstrate both theoretical knowledge and applied clinical
judgment necessary for competent practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
============================================================
Question 1
A physician orders 500 mg of amoxicillin oral suspension. The label reads 250 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters
should the nurse administer?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 15 mL
D. 20 mL
🟢 B. 10 mL
🔴 RATIONALE: Using the formula method: (Desired dose / Available dose) × Volume = (500 mg / 250 mg) ×
5 mL = 2 × 5 mL = 10 mL. The nurse must administer 10 mL to deliver the prescribed 500 mg dose.
,Question 2
Which pharmacokinetic phase describes how a drug moves from the site of administration into the systemic
circulation?
A. Distribution
B. Metabolism
C. Absorption
D. Excretion
🟢 C. Absorption
🔴 RATIONALE: Absorption is the first pharmacokinetic phase, referring to the movement of a drug from its
site of administration into the bloodstream. Distribution follows absorption, metabolism occurs in the liver, and
excretion is the final phase.
Question 3
A patient weighs 176 pounds. The physician orders dopamine at 5 mcg/kg/min. The available solution is 400
mg in 250 mL. What is the infusion rate in mL/hr?
A. 15 mL/hr
B. 22 mL/hr
C. 30 mL/hr
D. 45 mL/hr
🟢 C. 30 mL/hr
, 🔴 RATIONALE: Convert weight: 176 lb ÷ 2.2 = 80 kg. Calculate dose: 5 mcg/kg/min × 80 kg = 400 mcg/min
= 24,000 mcg/hr = 24 mg/hr. Solution concentration: 400 mg/250 mL = 1.6 mg/mL. Rate: 24 mg/hr ÷ 1.6
mg/mL = 15 mL/hr. Wait, recalculating: 400 mg in 250 mL = 400,000 mcg/250 mL = 1,600 mcg/mL.
Required: 400 mcg/min × 60 = 24,000 mcg/hr. Rate = 24,000 ÷ 1,600 = 15 mL/hr. Correct answer is A.
🟢 A. 15 mL/hr
🔴 RATIONALE: Convert weight: 176 lb ÷ 2.2 = 80 kg. Dose needed: 5 mcg/kg/min × 80 kg = 400 mcg/min =
24,000 mcg/hr = 24 mg/hr. Concentration: 400 mg/250 mL = 1.6 mg/mL. Infusion rate: 24 mg/hr ÷ 1.6
mg/mL = 15 mL/hr.
Question 4
What is the primary nursing intervention to prevent medication errors when administering drugs?
A. Administer medications quickly to save time
B. Follow the Six Rights of Medication Administration
C. Rely on memory for dosages
D. Skip the double-check for high-alert medications
🟢 B. Follow the Six Rights of Medication Administration
🔴 RATIONALE: The Six Rights (right patient, right drug, right dose, right route, right time, right
documentation) are the fundamental standard for preventing medication errors. All other options increase
error risk.
