BSN HESI 215 DOSAGE CALCULATION EXAM
(2025) comprehensive questions and verified
answers ( detailed & Rationale elaborated)
ACTUAL EXAM 2026 TEST!!
The exam coverage includes essential dosage calculation concepts assessed in the BSN
HESI 215 Dosage Calculation Exam. It focuses on basic and advanced medication math,
including conversions between measurement systems, tablet and liquid dose
calculations, intravenous flow rate calculations, weight-based dosing, and safe
medication administration principles. The exam also evaluates understanding of
reconstitution, dimensional analysis, pediatric and adult dosage calculations, and
prevention of medication errors. Emphasis is placed on accuracy, critical thinking, and
applying dosage calculation skills to ensure safe and effective nursing care.
A client with cardiogenic shock weighs 220 lb and is
receiving dopamine at the rate of 3 mcg/kg/minute. The
solution strength available is dopamine 400 mg in 250 ml
of D5W. The nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver
how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding
is required, round to the nearest tenth.) - ✔✔ANSWER
✔✔-11.3
Rationale: First, convert pounds to kg
,220 lb : X = 2.2 lb : 1 kg
= 100 kg.
Next, calculate the dosage per minute,
3 mcg/kg/min x 100 kg
= 300 mcg/min.
3(100kg) =300
Convert mcg/min to mcg/hour
300 mcg/min x 60 min
=18,000 mcg/hour.
Convert mcg/hr to mg/hour,
=18,000 mcg/hr
= 18.0 mg/hour.
Calculate the rate,
400 mg : 250 ml = 18 mg : X ml
,= 400 mg 18 mg
_____________ = ___________
250mL x mL
=400X = 4500
X = 11.25
= 11.3 ml.
So, 18 mg/11.3 ml should be infused at 11.3 ml/hour.
A client with hypertension who weighs 72.4 kg is receiving
an infusion of nitroprusside (Nipride) 50 mg in D5W 250
ml at 75 ml/hour. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client
receiving? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is
required, round to the nearest tenth.) - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-
3.5
Rationale: Calculate the mg/hour infusing,
50 mg : 250 ml = X : 75 ml
=250X = 3750 and X = 15 mg/hour.
, Next, convert mg/hr to mcg/hour
15 mg/hour = 1 mg / 1000 mcg = 15,000 mcg/hour
then divide by 60 min
= 250 mcg/minute.
Lastly, 250 mcg/72.4 kg/min
= 3.45
= 3.5 mcg/kg/minute.
A client who weighs 70 kg is receiving a dopamine
solution of 800 mg/500 ml normal saline at 5 ml/hour.
How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter
numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the
nearest tenth.) - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-1.9
Rationale: To change ml/hour to mcg/kg/minute, use the
formula: desired rate (5 ml/hour) / volume available (500
ml) x dose available (800 mg)
(2025) comprehensive questions and verified
answers ( detailed & Rationale elaborated)
ACTUAL EXAM 2026 TEST!!
The exam coverage includes essential dosage calculation concepts assessed in the BSN
HESI 215 Dosage Calculation Exam. It focuses on basic and advanced medication math,
including conversions between measurement systems, tablet and liquid dose
calculations, intravenous flow rate calculations, weight-based dosing, and safe
medication administration principles. The exam also evaluates understanding of
reconstitution, dimensional analysis, pediatric and adult dosage calculations, and
prevention of medication errors. Emphasis is placed on accuracy, critical thinking, and
applying dosage calculation skills to ensure safe and effective nursing care.
A client with cardiogenic shock weighs 220 lb and is
receiving dopamine at the rate of 3 mcg/kg/minute. The
solution strength available is dopamine 400 mg in 250 ml
of D5W. The nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver
how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding
is required, round to the nearest tenth.) - ✔✔ANSWER
✔✔-11.3
Rationale: First, convert pounds to kg
,220 lb : X = 2.2 lb : 1 kg
= 100 kg.
Next, calculate the dosage per minute,
3 mcg/kg/min x 100 kg
= 300 mcg/min.
3(100kg) =300
Convert mcg/min to mcg/hour
300 mcg/min x 60 min
=18,000 mcg/hour.
Convert mcg/hr to mg/hour,
=18,000 mcg/hr
= 18.0 mg/hour.
Calculate the rate,
400 mg : 250 ml = 18 mg : X ml
,= 400 mg 18 mg
_____________ = ___________
250mL x mL
=400X = 4500
X = 11.25
= 11.3 ml.
So, 18 mg/11.3 ml should be infused at 11.3 ml/hour.
A client with hypertension who weighs 72.4 kg is receiving
an infusion of nitroprusside (Nipride) 50 mg in D5W 250
ml at 75 ml/hour. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client
receiving? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is
required, round to the nearest tenth.) - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-
3.5
Rationale: Calculate the mg/hour infusing,
50 mg : 250 ml = X : 75 ml
=250X = 3750 and X = 15 mg/hour.
, Next, convert mg/hr to mcg/hour
15 mg/hour = 1 mg / 1000 mcg = 15,000 mcg/hour
then divide by 60 min
= 250 mcg/minute.
Lastly, 250 mcg/72.4 kg/min
= 3.45
= 3.5 mcg/kg/minute.
A client who weighs 70 kg is receiving a dopamine
solution of 800 mg/500 ml normal saline at 5 ml/hour.
How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter
numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the
nearest tenth.) - ✔✔ANSWER ✔✔-1.9
Rationale: To change ml/hour to mcg/kg/minute, use the
formula: desired rate (5 ml/hour) / volume available (500
ml) x dose available (800 mg)
