KAPLAN DOSAGE CALCULATION EXAM PRACTICE TEST QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS)
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Medication Dosage Calculations*
*- Metric and Unit Conversions*
*- IV Flow Rate Calculations*
*- Pediatric and Adult Dosage Calculations*
*- Fluid Intake and Output Management*
*- Pharmacology and Drug Administration*
*- Regulatory Compliance and Safety Standards*
*- Clinical Judgment and Decision-Making*
This comprehensive practice exam is designed to prepare nursing students and healthcare professionals for the Kaplan Dosage Calculation Exam,
a critical assessment that evaluates essential medication calculation competencies required for safe patient care. The exam assesses fundamental
skills in dosage calculations, unit conversions, IV flow rates, pediatric and adult dosing, fluid management, and pharmacology principles.
Featuring 100 multiple-choice questions with scenario-based case studies, this test bank emphasizes real-world clinical application and critical
decision-making. Questions range from foundational theory to applied professional knowledge, including regulatory compliance, ethics, and
professional standards. Mastery of these calculations is essential for preventing medication errors and ensuring optimal patient outcomes in
clinical practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
The doctor orders 750 mg of amoxicillin. Available is amoxicillin suspension with a concentration of 125 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer?
A. 15 mL
B. 20 mL
C. 25 mL
D. 30 mL
🟢 Correct answer: D
,🔴 RATIONALE: Using the standard formula: (Desired Dose ÷ On Hand) × Vehicle = (750 mg ÷ 125 mg) × 5 mL = 6 × 5 mL = 30 mL. The nurse
must administer 30 mL to deliver the prescribed 750 mg dose.
Question 2
The prescription is for 0.5 mg of digoxin. You have digoxin tablets of 0.25 mg each. How many tablets should the nurse give?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 4 tablets
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Number of tablets = Desired dose ÷ Dose per tablet = 0.5 mg ÷ 0.25 mg = 2 tablets. This straightforward division ensures the
patient receives the exact prescribed dose without over- or under-medication.
Question 3
The physician orders 50 units of regular insulin. The available insulin is U-100. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 0.05 mL
C. 0.1 mL
D. 0.2 mL
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: U-100 insulin contains 100 units per mL. Volume = Units ordered ÷ Units per mL = 50 units ÷ 100 units/mL = 0.5 mL. This is
standard for insulin administration calculations.
Question 4
A patient weighs 176 lb. The physician orders dopamine at 5 mcg/kg/min. The dopamine solution contains 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. 35 mL/hr
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Step 1: Convert weight to kg: 176 lb ÷ 2.2 = 80 kg. Step 2: Calculate dose per minute: 5 mcg/kg/min × 80 kg = 400 mcg/min. Step
3: Convert to mcg/hr: 400 mcg/min × 60 = 24,000 mcg/hr = 24 mg/hr. Step 4: Calculate concentration: 400 mg ÷ 250 mL = 1.6 mg/mL. Step 5:
Infusion rate: 24 mg/hr ÷ 1.6 mg/mL = 15 mL/hr.
Question 5
The physician orders 1,000 mL of normal saline to be infused over 8 hours. The IV administration set delivers 15 gtt/mL. How many drops per
minute should the nurse set the flow rate at?
A. 15 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min
C. 63 gtt/min
D. 125 gtt/min
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Flow rate (gtt/min) = (Total volume × Drop factor) ÷ Time in minutes = (1000 mL × 15 gtt/mL) ÷ (8 hr × 60 min/hr) = 15,000 ÷
480 = 31.25 gtt/min ≈ 31 gtt/min.
Question 6
The doctor prescribes 0.05 mg of levothyroxine. Available is levothyroxine with a concentration of 25 mcg/tablet. How many tablets should the nurse
administer?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 4 tablets
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: First convert 0.05 mg to mcg: 0.05 mg × 1000 = 50 mcg. Number of tablets = 50 mcg ÷ 25 mcg/tablet = 2 tablets. Unit conversion
is critical before calculating.
Question 7
The physician orders 2.5 L of fluid intake for a patient in 24 hours. How many milliliters (mL) is this equivalent to?
A. 250 mL
B. 500 mL
C. 2,500 mL
D. 5,000 mL
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: 1 L = 1000 mL. Therefore, 2.5 L × 1000 mL/L = 2,500 mL. This is a straightforward metric conversion essential for fluid
management documentation.
Question 8
The prescription is for 2,000 units of heparin. The available heparin is 5,000 units/mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer?
A. 0.2 mL
B. 0.3 mL
C. 0.4 mL
D. 0.6 mL
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Volume = Desired dose ÷ Concentration = 2,000 units ÷ 5,000 units/mL = 0.4 mL. Precise measurement is critical for
anticoagulant medications due to their narrow therapeutic index.
Question 9
The doctor orders 5 mg of morphine sulfate. The available solution is 10 mg/mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer?
PLUS RATIONALES 2026 Q&A | INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
Core Domains
*- Medication Dosage Calculations*
*- Metric and Unit Conversions*
*- IV Flow Rate Calculations*
*- Pediatric and Adult Dosage Calculations*
*- Fluid Intake and Output Management*
*- Pharmacology and Drug Administration*
*- Regulatory Compliance and Safety Standards*
*- Clinical Judgment and Decision-Making*
This comprehensive practice exam is designed to prepare nursing students and healthcare professionals for the Kaplan Dosage Calculation Exam,
a critical assessment that evaluates essential medication calculation competencies required for safe patient care. The exam assesses fundamental
skills in dosage calculations, unit conversions, IV flow rates, pediatric and adult dosing, fluid management, and pharmacology principles.
Featuring 100 multiple-choice questions with scenario-based case studies, this test bank emphasizes real-world clinical application and critical
decision-making. Questions range from foundational theory to applied professional knowledge, including regulatory compliance, ethics, and
professional standards. Mastery of these calculations is essential for preventing medication errors and ensuring optimal patient outcomes in
clinical practice.
SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
Question 1
The doctor orders 750 mg of amoxicillin. Available is amoxicillin suspension with a concentration of 125 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer?
A. 15 mL
B. 20 mL
C. 25 mL
D. 30 mL
🟢 Correct answer: D
,🔴 RATIONALE: Using the standard formula: (Desired Dose ÷ On Hand) × Vehicle = (750 mg ÷ 125 mg) × 5 mL = 6 × 5 mL = 30 mL. The nurse
must administer 30 mL to deliver the prescribed 750 mg dose.
Question 2
The prescription is for 0.5 mg of digoxin. You have digoxin tablets of 0.25 mg each. How many tablets should the nurse give?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 4 tablets
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Number of tablets = Desired dose ÷ Dose per tablet = 0.5 mg ÷ 0.25 mg = 2 tablets. This straightforward division ensures the
patient receives the exact prescribed dose without over- or under-medication.
Question 3
The physician orders 50 units of regular insulin. The available insulin is U-100. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 0.05 mL
C. 0.1 mL
D. 0.2 mL
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: U-100 insulin contains 100 units per mL. Volume = Units ordered ÷ Units per mL = 50 units ÷ 100 units/mL = 0.5 mL. This is
standard for insulin administration calculations.
Question 4
A patient weighs 176 lb. The physician orders dopamine at 5 mcg/kg/min. The dopamine solution contains 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. 35 mL/hr
🟢 Correct answer: A
🔴 RATIONALE: Step 1: Convert weight to kg: 176 lb ÷ 2.2 = 80 kg. Step 2: Calculate dose per minute: 5 mcg/kg/min × 80 kg = 400 mcg/min. Step
3: Convert to mcg/hr: 400 mcg/min × 60 = 24,000 mcg/hr = 24 mg/hr. Step 4: Calculate concentration: 400 mg ÷ 250 mL = 1.6 mg/mL. Step 5:
Infusion rate: 24 mg/hr ÷ 1.6 mg/mL = 15 mL/hr.
Question 5
The physician orders 1,000 mL of normal saline to be infused over 8 hours. The IV administration set delivers 15 gtt/mL. How many drops per
minute should the nurse set the flow rate at?
A. 15 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min
C. 63 gtt/min
D. 125 gtt/min
🟢 Correct answer: B
🔴 RATIONALE: Flow rate (gtt/min) = (Total volume × Drop factor) ÷ Time in minutes = (1000 mL × 15 gtt/mL) ÷ (8 hr × 60 min/hr) = 15,000 ÷
480 = 31.25 gtt/min ≈ 31 gtt/min.
Question 6
The doctor prescribes 0.05 mg of levothyroxine. Available is levothyroxine with a concentration of 25 mcg/tablet. How many tablets should the nurse
administer?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 4 tablets
🟢 Correct answer: B
, 🔴 RATIONALE: First convert 0.05 mg to mcg: 0.05 mg × 1000 = 50 mcg. Number of tablets = 50 mcg ÷ 25 mcg/tablet = 2 tablets. Unit conversion
is critical before calculating.
Question 7
The physician orders 2.5 L of fluid intake for a patient in 24 hours. How many milliliters (mL) is this equivalent to?
A. 250 mL
B. 500 mL
C. 2,500 mL
D. 5,000 mL
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: 1 L = 1000 mL. Therefore, 2.5 L × 1000 mL/L = 2,500 mL. This is a straightforward metric conversion essential for fluid
management documentation.
Question 8
The prescription is for 2,000 units of heparin. The available heparin is 5,000 units/mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer?
A. 0.2 mL
B. 0.3 mL
C. 0.4 mL
D. 0.6 mL
🟢 Correct answer: C
🔴 RATIONALE: Volume = Desired dose ÷ Concentration = 2,000 units ÷ 5,000 units/mL = 0.4 mL. Precise measurement is critical for
anticoagulant medications due to their narrow therapeutic index.
Question 9
The doctor orders 5 mg of morphine sulfate. The available solution is 10 mg/mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer?
