Nightingale College BSN 215 HESI Dosage Calculation Exam
Package: 3 Exams; Questions with Explanations & Verified
Answers (Latest 2026/2027 Update) - 140 Questions and Answers
Already Graded A+ Premium Exam Tested And Verified
Subject Area Nursing Dosage Calculation and Medication Administration
Description This comprehensive exam assesses advanced competency in dosage calculation,
medication administration, and safe prescribing practices for professional nursing
practice. It integrates pharmacokinetics, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based
guidelines for high-acuity patient populations.
Expected Grade A+
Total Questions 140
Duration 3 hours
Learning Outcomes 1. Perform multi-step dosage calculations involving weight-based, infusion rate,
and titration parameters.
2. Analyze complex clinical scenarios to determine appropriate medication
dosages and administration routes.
3. Evaluate prescription orders for safety, accuracy, and therapeutic
appropriateness using current standards.
Accreditation This exam aligns with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
BSN Essentials and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
testing standards.
Page 1
,1. A patient with a history of atrial fibrillation is admitted with acute pulmonary
edema. The provider orders a dobutamine infusion at 5 mcg/kg/min. The patient
weighs 70 kg. The available concentration is dobutamine 250 mg in 250 mL D5W.
Using an infusion pump that delivers in mL/hr, what rate should the nurse set?
A. 21 mL/hr
B. 42 mL/hr
C. 10.5 mL/hr
D. 84 mL/hr
Answer: A. 21 mL/hr
Correct: 21 mL/hr. First, convert weight: 70 kg. Dose per minute: 5 mcg/kg/min × 70 kg
= 350 mcg/min. Dose per hour: 350 mcg/min × 60 min = 21,000 mcg/hr = 21 mg/hr.
Concentration: 250 mg/250 mL = 1 mg/mL. Rate = 21 mg/hr ÷ 1 mg/mL = 21 mL/hr.
Option B (42 mL/hr) doubles the rate; C (10.5 mL/hr) halves; D (84 mL/hr) quadruples.
2. A patient receiving heparin infusion at 18 units/kg/hr has an aPTT of 120 seconds.
According to the institution's heparin protocol, for aPTT >100 seconds, hold infusion
for 1 hour and restart at 2 units/kg/hr less than current rate. The patient weighs 80
kg. What is the new infusion rate in units/hr?
A. 1440 units/hr
B. 1280 units/hr
C. 1600 units/hr
D. 1120 units/hr
Answer: B. 1280 units/hr
Correct: 1280 units/hr. Current rate: 18 units/kg/hr × 80 kg = 1440 units/hr. Reduce by
2 units/kg/hr: new rate = 16 units/kg/hr × 80 kg = 1280 units/hr. Option A is the original
rate; C and D are incorrect reductions.
Page 2
,3. A patient is prescribed 1 L of 0.9% normal saline to infuse over 8 hours. The IV
tubing has a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. After 4 hours, only 300 mL have infused. The
nurse recalculates the drip rate to complete the remaining volume on time. What is
the new drip rate in gtt/min?
A. 31 gtt/min
B. 38 gtt/min
C. 44 gtt/min
D. 50 gtt/min
Answer: C. 44 gtt/min
Correct: 44 gtt/min. Remaining volume: 1000 mL - 300 mL = 700 mL. Remaining time:
4 hours = 240 minutes. Drip rate = (700 mL / 240 min) × 15 gtt/mL = 2.9167 × 15 =
43.75 44 gtt/min. Option A (31 gtt/min) assumes incorrect volume; B (38 gtt/min) uses
4.5 hours; D (50 gtt/min) uses 3.5 hours.
4. A patient is prescribed an IV infusion of 500 mL of lactated Ringer's to be
administered over 6 hours. The IV set delivers 20 gtt/mL. After 2 hours, the nurse
notes that 200 mL have infused. To complete the infusion in the remaining time,
what should the adjusted drip rate be?
A. 21 gtt/min
B. 25 gtt/min
C. 28 gtt/min
D. 33 gtt/min
Answer: B. 25 gtt/min
Correct: 25 gtt/min. Remaining volume: 500 mL - 200 mL = 300 mL. Remaining time: 4
hours = 240 minutes. Drip rate = (300 mL / 240 min) × 20 gtt/mL = 1.25 × 20 = 25
gtt/min. Option A (21 gtt/min) uses 5 hours; C (28 gtt/min) uses 3.5 hours; D (33
gtt/min) uses 3 hours.
Page 3
, 5. A patient with a deep vein thrombosis is started on a heparin infusion at 18
units/kg/hr. The patient's weight is 75 kg. Heparin is available as 25,000 units in 500
mL D5W. What rate in mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump?
A. 27 mL/hr
B. 13.5 mL/hr
C. 54 mL/hr
D. 22 mL/hr
Answer: A. 27 mL/hr
Correct: 27 mL/hr. Dose: 18 units/kg/hr × 75 kg = 1350 units/hr. Concentration: 25,000
units / 500 mL = 50 units/mL. Rate = 1350 units/hr ÷ 50 units/mL = 27 mL/hr. Option B
(13.5 mL/hr) halves the rate; C (54 mL/hr) doubles; D (22 mL/hr) miscalculates.
6. A patient is to receive a dopamine infusion at 10 mcg/kg/min. The patient weighs
60 kg. The pharmacy supplies dopamine 800 mg in 500 mL D5W. At what rate in
mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump?
A. 22.5 mL/hr
B. 45 mL/hr
C. 11.25 mL/hr
D. 90 mL/hr
Answer: A. 22.5 mL/hr
Correct: 22.5 mL/hr. Dose per minute: 10 mcg/kg/min × 60 kg = 600 mcg/min. Dose per
hour: 600 mcg/min × 60 min = 36,000 mcg/hr = 36 mg/hr. Concentration: 800 mg / 500
mL = 1.6 mg/mL. Rate = 36 mg/hr ÷ 1.6 mg/mL = 22.5 mL/hr. Option B (45 mL/hr)
double; C (11.25 mL/hr) half; D (90 mL/hr) quadruple.
Page 4
Package: 3 Exams; Questions with Explanations & Verified
Answers (Latest 2026/2027 Update) - 140 Questions and Answers
Already Graded A+ Premium Exam Tested And Verified
Subject Area Nursing Dosage Calculation and Medication Administration
Description This comprehensive exam assesses advanced competency in dosage calculation,
medication administration, and safe prescribing practices for professional nursing
practice. It integrates pharmacokinetics, clinical reasoning, and evidence-based
guidelines for high-acuity patient populations.
Expected Grade A+
Total Questions 140
Duration 3 hours
Learning Outcomes 1. Perform multi-step dosage calculations involving weight-based, infusion rate,
and titration parameters.
2. Analyze complex clinical scenarios to determine appropriate medication
dosages and administration routes.
3. Evaluate prescription orders for safety, accuracy, and therapeutic
appropriateness using current standards.
Accreditation This exam aligns with the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN)
BSN Essentials and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing (NCSBN)
testing standards.
Page 1
,1. A patient with a history of atrial fibrillation is admitted with acute pulmonary
edema. The provider orders a dobutamine infusion at 5 mcg/kg/min. The patient
weighs 70 kg. The available concentration is dobutamine 250 mg in 250 mL D5W.
Using an infusion pump that delivers in mL/hr, what rate should the nurse set?
A. 21 mL/hr
B. 42 mL/hr
C. 10.5 mL/hr
D. 84 mL/hr
Answer: A. 21 mL/hr
Correct: 21 mL/hr. First, convert weight: 70 kg. Dose per minute: 5 mcg/kg/min × 70 kg
= 350 mcg/min. Dose per hour: 350 mcg/min × 60 min = 21,000 mcg/hr = 21 mg/hr.
Concentration: 250 mg/250 mL = 1 mg/mL. Rate = 21 mg/hr ÷ 1 mg/mL = 21 mL/hr.
Option B (42 mL/hr) doubles the rate; C (10.5 mL/hr) halves; D (84 mL/hr) quadruples.
2. A patient receiving heparin infusion at 18 units/kg/hr has an aPTT of 120 seconds.
According to the institution's heparin protocol, for aPTT >100 seconds, hold infusion
for 1 hour and restart at 2 units/kg/hr less than current rate. The patient weighs 80
kg. What is the new infusion rate in units/hr?
A. 1440 units/hr
B. 1280 units/hr
C. 1600 units/hr
D. 1120 units/hr
Answer: B. 1280 units/hr
Correct: 1280 units/hr. Current rate: 18 units/kg/hr × 80 kg = 1440 units/hr. Reduce by
2 units/kg/hr: new rate = 16 units/kg/hr × 80 kg = 1280 units/hr. Option A is the original
rate; C and D are incorrect reductions.
Page 2
,3. A patient is prescribed 1 L of 0.9% normal saline to infuse over 8 hours. The IV
tubing has a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. After 4 hours, only 300 mL have infused. The
nurse recalculates the drip rate to complete the remaining volume on time. What is
the new drip rate in gtt/min?
A. 31 gtt/min
B. 38 gtt/min
C. 44 gtt/min
D. 50 gtt/min
Answer: C. 44 gtt/min
Correct: 44 gtt/min. Remaining volume: 1000 mL - 300 mL = 700 mL. Remaining time:
4 hours = 240 minutes. Drip rate = (700 mL / 240 min) × 15 gtt/mL = 2.9167 × 15 =
43.75 44 gtt/min. Option A (31 gtt/min) assumes incorrect volume; B (38 gtt/min) uses
4.5 hours; D (50 gtt/min) uses 3.5 hours.
4. A patient is prescribed an IV infusion of 500 mL of lactated Ringer's to be
administered over 6 hours. The IV set delivers 20 gtt/mL. After 2 hours, the nurse
notes that 200 mL have infused. To complete the infusion in the remaining time,
what should the adjusted drip rate be?
A. 21 gtt/min
B. 25 gtt/min
C. 28 gtt/min
D. 33 gtt/min
Answer: B. 25 gtt/min
Correct: 25 gtt/min. Remaining volume: 500 mL - 200 mL = 300 mL. Remaining time: 4
hours = 240 minutes. Drip rate = (300 mL / 240 min) × 20 gtt/mL = 1.25 × 20 = 25
gtt/min. Option A (21 gtt/min) uses 5 hours; C (28 gtt/min) uses 3.5 hours; D (33
gtt/min) uses 3 hours.
Page 3
, 5. A patient with a deep vein thrombosis is started on a heparin infusion at 18
units/kg/hr. The patient's weight is 75 kg. Heparin is available as 25,000 units in 500
mL D5W. What rate in mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump?
A. 27 mL/hr
B. 13.5 mL/hr
C. 54 mL/hr
D. 22 mL/hr
Answer: A. 27 mL/hr
Correct: 27 mL/hr. Dose: 18 units/kg/hr × 75 kg = 1350 units/hr. Concentration: 25,000
units / 500 mL = 50 units/mL. Rate = 1350 units/hr ÷ 50 units/mL = 27 mL/hr. Option B
(13.5 mL/hr) halves the rate; C (54 mL/hr) doubles; D (22 mL/hr) miscalculates.
6. A patient is to receive a dopamine infusion at 10 mcg/kg/min. The patient weighs
60 kg. The pharmacy supplies dopamine 800 mg in 500 mL D5W. At what rate in
mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump?
A. 22.5 mL/hr
B. 45 mL/hr
C. 11.25 mL/hr
D. 90 mL/hr
Answer: A. 22.5 mL/hr
Correct: 22.5 mL/hr. Dose per minute: 10 mcg/kg/min × 60 kg = 600 mcg/min. Dose per
hour: 600 mcg/min × 60 min = 36,000 mcg/hr = 36 mg/hr. Concentration: 800 mg / 500
mL = 1.6 mg/mL. Rate = 36 mg/hr ÷ 1.6 mg/mL = 22.5 mL/hr. Option B (45 mL/hr)
double; C (11.25 mL/hr) half; D (90 mL/hr) quadruple.
Page 4
