Comprehensive Dosage Calculations
Examination: 200 Multiple-Choice
Questions for Healthcare Professionals
EXAM TITLE
Advanced Dosage Calculations for Nursing and Healthcare Professionals: Comprehensive
Review of Medication Administration, Intravenous Infusion Rates, Pediatric Dosing, Weight-
Based Calculations, and Critical Care Drug Titration with Clinical Application and Safety
Considerations
SECTION 1: BASIC CONVERSIONS AND FUNDAMENTAL CALCULATIONS (Questions 1-25)
1. The physician orders 0.5 grams of a medication. The medication is available in 250 mg
tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A) 0.5 tablets
B) 1 tablet
C) 2 tablets
D) 4 tablets
CorreCt Answer: C) 2 tablets
,Rationale: First, convert grams to milligrams: 0.5 g = 500 mg. Then divide: 500 mg ÷ 250
mg/tablet = 2 tablets. Always ensure units are consistent before calculating.
2. A client is prescribed 1,500 mL of normal saline to infuse over 12 hours. The drop factor is
15 gtt/mL. What is the flow rate in gtt/min?
A) 21 gtt/min
B) 25 gtt/min
C) 31 gtt/min
D) 42 gtt/min
CorreCt Answer: C) 31 gtt/min
Rationale: Use the formula: (Total volume × Drop factor) ÷ Time in minutes = (1500 mL × 15
gtt/mL) ÷ 720 min = 22,500 ÷ 720 = 31.25 gtt/min, rounded to 31 gtt/min.
3. A patient is to receive 40 mEq of potassium chloride. The available concentration is 20 mEq
per 15 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
,A) 15 mL
B) 20 mL
C) 30 mL
D) 45 mL
CorreCt Answer: C) 30 mL
Rationale: Set up a proportion: 20 mEq / 15 mL = 40 mEq / X mL. Cross multiply: 20X = 600. X =
30 mL. Alternatively, use the formula: Desired ÷ Available × Quantity = 40 ÷ 20 × 15 = 30 mL.
4. A client weighs 165 pounds. The physician orders a medication at 5 mg/kg/dose. What is
the dose in mg?
A) 325 mg
B) 375 mg
C) 400 mg
D) 450 mg
CorreCt Answer: B) 375 mg
, Rationale: First convert pounds to kilograms: 165 lbs ÷ 2.2 = 75 kg. Then calculate: 75 kg × 5
mg/kg = 375 mg. Always convert weight to kilograms before calculating weight-based doses.
5. A medication is available in a concentration of 250 mg/5 mL. The physician orders 125 mg.
How many mL should the nurse administer?
A) 1.5 mL
B) 2 mL
C) 2.5 mL
D) 3 mL
CorreCt Answer: C) 2.5 mL
Rationale: Use the formula: Desired ÷ Available × Quantity = 125 mg ÷ 250 mg × 5 mL = 0.5 × 5 =
2.5 mL. This is a simple ratio and proportion problem.
6. An IV infusion of 1,000 mL is to run over 8 hours. The drop factor is 20 gtt/mL. Calculate the
flow rate in gtt/min.
Examination: 200 Multiple-Choice
Questions for Healthcare Professionals
EXAM TITLE
Advanced Dosage Calculations for Nursing and Healthcare Professionals: Comprehensive
Review of Medication Administration, Intravenous Infusion Rates, Pediatric Dosing, Weight-
Based Calculations, and Critical Care Drug Titration with Clinical Application and Safety
Considerations
SECTION 1: BASIC CONVERSIONS AND FUNDAMENTAL CALCULATIONS (Questions 1-25)
1. The physician orders 0.5 grams of a medication. The medication is available in 250 mg
tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A) 0.5 tablets
B) 1 tablet
C) 2 tablets
D) 4 tablets
CorreCt Answer: C) 2 tablets
,Rationale: First, convert grams to milligrams: 0.5 g = 500 mg. Then divide: 500 mg ÷ 250
mg/tablet = 2 tablets. Always ensure units are consistent before calculating.
2. A client is prescribed 1,500 mL of normal saline to infuse over 12 hours. The drop factor is
15 gtt/mL. What is the flow rate in gtt/min?
A) 21 gtt/min
B) 25 gtt/min
C) 31 gtt/min
D) 42 gtt/min
CorreCt Answer: C) 31 gtt/min
Rationale: Use the formula: (Total volume × Drop factor) ÷ Time in minutes = (1500 mL × 15
gtt/mL) ÷ 720 min = 22,500 ÷ 720 = 31.25 gtt/min, rounded to 31 gtt/min.
3. A patient is to receive 40 mEq of potassium chloride. The available concentration is 20 mEq
per 15 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
,A) 15 mL
B) 20 mL
C) 30 mL
D) 45 mL
CorreCt Answer: C) 30 mL
Rationale: Set up a proportion: 20 mEq / 15 mL = 40 mEq / X mL. Cross multiply: 20X = 600. X =
30 mL. Alternatively, use the formula: Desired ÷ Available × Quantity = 40 ÷ 20 × 15 = 30 mL.
4. A client weighs 165 pounds. The physician orders a medication at 5 mg/kg/dose. What is
the dose in mg?
A) 325 mg
B) 375 mg
C) 400 mg
D) 450 mg
CorreCt Answer: B) 375 mg
, Rationale: First convert pounds to kilograms: 165 lbs ÷ 2.2 = 75 kg. Then calculate: 75 kg × 5
mg/kg = 375 mg. Always convert weight to kilograms before calculating weight-based doses.
5. A medication is available in a concentration of 250 mg/5 mL. The physician orders 125 mg.
How many mL should the nurse administer?
A) 1.5 mL
B) 2 mL
C) 2.5 mL
D) 3 mL
CorreCt Answer: C) 2.5 mL
Rationale: Use the formula: Desired ÷ Available × Quantity = 125 mg ÷ 250 mg × 5 mL = 0.5 × 5 =
2.5 mL. This is a simple ratio and proportion problem.
6. An IV infusion of 1,000 mL is to run over 8 hours. The drop factor is 20 gtt/mL. Calculate the
flow rate in gtt/min.
