Solving Problems Using Dimensional

DOSAGE CALCULATIONS MADE
EASY
SOLVING PROBLEMS USING
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)GLORIA PEARL
CRAIG




TEST BANK

,Question 1 (Easy)
A provider prescribes amoxicillin 500 mg PO. The medication
label reads 250 mg per capsule. How many capsules should the
nurse administer?
A. 1 capsule
B. 2 capsules
C. 3 capsules
D. 4 capsules
Correct Answer: B. 2 capsules
Rationale:
Step 1: Set up dimensional analysis.
[
500\ \text{mg}\times\frac{1\ \text{capsule}}{250\ \text{mg}}
]
Step 2: Cancel mg.
[
\frac{500}{250}=2
]
Step 3: Administer 2 capsules.
Medication Safety Note: Always verify the strength on the
medication label before calculating the number of tablets or
capsules.

,Question 2 (Easy)
The provider orders acetaminophen 650 mg PO. Available: 325
mg tablets.
How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 1 tablet
B. 1.5 tablets
C. 2 tablets
D. 3 tablets
Correct Answer: C. 2 tablets
Rationale:
Step 1:
[
650\ \text{mg}\times\frac{1\ \text{tablet}}{325\ \text{mg}}
]
Step 2:
[
650\div325=2
]
Step 3: Administer 2 tablets.

, Medication Safety Note: Double-check tablet strength because
medications often come in multiple concentrations.


Question 3 (Easy)
A provider prescribes 15 mL of cough syrup. The medication cup
is calibrated in teaspoons.
How many teaspoons should the nurse administer?
A. 1 tsp
B. 2 tsp
C. 3 tsp
D. 4 tsp
Correct Answer: C. 3 tsp
Rationale:
Step 1: Conversion:
[
1\ \text{tsp}=5\ \text{mL}
]
Step 2:
[
15\ \text{mL}\times\frac{1\ \text{tsp}}{5\ \text{mL}}=3\