DOSAGE CALCULATIONS MADE
EASY
SOLVING PROBLEMS USING
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)GLORIA PEARL
CRAIG
TEST BANK
,Topic: Comprehensive Mixed Review
Question 1
Topic: Basic Arithmetic Medication Calculations
The healthcare provider orders magnesium hydroxide 30 mL PO
once daily at bedtime for a patient with constipation. The
medication is available as a liquid with a concentration of 400
mg per 5 mL. How many milligrams of magnesium hydroxide
will the nurse administer per dose?
A. 2400 mg
B. 1500 mg
C. 2000 mg
D. 1200 mg
Correct Answer:
A. 2400 mg
Rationale:
Step 1:
Identify the known values and the desired unit. The desired
dose is 30 mL, and the available concentration is 400 mg per 5
mL. We need to convert mL to mg.
Step 2:
Dimensional-analysis setup:
30 mL×400 mg5 mL= X mg30 mL×5 mL400 mg= X mg
,Step 3:
Cancel the common unit (mL) and solve:
X=30×4005 mg=120005 mg=2400 mgX=530×400 mg=512000
mg=2400 mg
Medication Safety Note:
Always verify the prescribed volume against the available
concentration to ensure the calculated dose is safe and within
acceptable parameters for the patient's condition.
Question 2
Topic: Unit Conversions & Dimensional Analysis
A patient's intake and output record shows they consumed 8
ounces of chicken broth, 12 ounces of ginger ale, and 6 ounces
of gelatin. How many total milliliters of fluid did the patient
consume from these sources?
A. 650 mL
B. 720 mL
C. 780 mL
D. 910 mL
Correct Answer:
C. 780 mL
Rationale:
Step 1:
, First, find the total fluid intake in ounces. 8 oz + 12 oz + 6 oz =
26 oz.
The conversion factor is 1 oz = 30 mL (a standard nursing
approximation).
Step 2:
Dimensional-analysis setup:
26 oz×30 mL1 oz= X mL26 oz×1 oz30 mL= X mL
Step 3:
Cancel the common unit (oz) and solve:
X=26×30=780 mLX=26×30=780 mL
Medication Safety Note:
Accurate intake and output monitoring is critical, especially for
patients at risk for fluid volume imbalances. When using
household measurements, always use the standard conversion
of 30 mL per ounce for nursing calculations.
Question 3
Topic: Oral Dosage Calculations (Capsules)
A patient with a severe fungal infection is prescribed
voriconazole 350 mg PO every 12 hours. The pharmacy supplies
voriconazole 50 mg capsules. How many capsules will the nurse
administer for the morning dose?
EASY
SOLVING PROBLEMS USING
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)GLORIA PEARL
CRAIG
TEST BANK
,Topic: Comprehensive Mixed Review
Question 1
Topic: Basic Arithmetic Medication Calculations
The healthcare provider orders magnesium hydroxide 30 mL PO
once daily at bedtime for a patient with constipation. The
medication is available as a liquid with a concentration of 400
mg per 5 mL. How many milligrams of magnesium hydroxide
will the nurse administer per dose?
A. 2400 mg
B. 1500 mg
C. 2000 mg
D. 1200 mg
Correct Answer:
A. 2400 mg
Rationale:
Step 1:
Identify the known values and the desired unit. The desired
dose is 30 mL, and the available concentration is 400 mg per 5
mL. We need to convert mL to mg.
Step 2:
Dimensional-analysis setup:
30 mL×400 mg5 mL= X mg30 mL×5 mL400 mg= X mg
,Step 3:
Cancel the common unit (mL) and solve:
X=30×4005 mg=120005 mg=2400 mgX=530×400 mg=512000
mg=2400 mg
Medication Safety Note:
Always verify the prescribed volume against the available
concentration to ensure the calculated dose is safe and within
acceptable parameters for the patient's condition.
Question 2
Topic: Unit Conversions & Dimensional Analysis
A patient's intake and output record shows they consumed 8
ounces of chicken broth, 12 ounces of ginger ale, and 6 ounces
of gelatin. How many total milliliters of fluid did the patient
consume from these sources?
A. 650 mL
B. 720 mL
C. 780 mL
D. 910 mL
Correct Answer:
C. 780 mL
Rationale:
Step 1:
, First, find the total fluid intake in ounces. 8 oz + 12 oz + 6 oz =
26 oz.
The conversion factor is 1 oz = 30 mL (a standard nursing
approximation).
Step 2:
Dimensional-analysis setup:
26 oz×30 mL1 oz= X mL26 oz×1 oz30 mL= X mL
Step 3:
Cancel the common unit (oz) and solve:
X=26×30=780 mLX=26×30=780 mL
Medication Safety Note:
Accurate intake and output monitoring is critical, especially for
patients at risk for fluid volume imbalances. When using
household measurements, always use the standard conversion
of 30 mL per ounce for nursing calculations.
Question 3
Topic: Oral Dosage Calculations (Capsules)
A patient with a severe fungal infection is prescribed
voriconazole 350 mg PO every 12 hours. The pharmacy supplies
voriconazole 50 mg capsules. How many capsules will the nurse
administer for the morning dose?
