ATI Dosage Calculation PN Adult Medical Surgical | Comprehensive
Practice Examination | High-Yield Dosage Calculations, IV Rates,
Weight-Based Dosing & Medication Safety | Questions, Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Ultimate Nursing Math Mastery Guide |
Premium Study Companion
Question 1
The healthcare provider orders amoxicillin 500 mg PO every 8 hours. The medication is available as 250
mg per 5 mL suspension. How many milliliters will the nurse administer per dose?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 15 mL
D. 20 mL
Correct Answer: B. 10 mL
Explanation: Use the formula: Desired (500 mg) × Quantity (5 mL) ÷ Available (250 mg) = 10 mL. This
calculation requires dimensional analysis: 500 mg × 5 mL/250 mg = 10 mL. Always verify that the dose
makes clinical sense and double-check decimal placement to prevent medication errors.
Question 2
A patient is prescribed digoxin 0.125 mg PO daily. The available tablets are 0.25 mg per tablet. How
many tablets will the nurse administer?
A. 0.25 tablet
B. 0.5 tablet
,C. 1 tablet
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer: B. 0.5 tablet
Explanation: Desired (0.125 mg) ÷ Available (0.25 mg) = 0.5 tablet. Digoxin requires precise dosing with a
narrow therapeutic range. Always verify the order against the patient's recent serum digoxin levels and
monitor for signs of toxicity including nausea, visual disturbances, and bradycardia.
Question 3
The order reads: cefazolin 1 g IV every 8 hours. The pharmacy supplies vials containing 500 mg per vial.
How many vials are needed for one dose?
A. 1 vial
B. 2 vials
C. 3 vials
D. 4 vials
Correct Answer: B. 2 vials
Explanation: Convert 1 g to mg: 1 g = 1000 mg. Calculate: 1000 mg ÷ 500 mg/vial = 2 vials. Always verify
unit conversions carefully; the most common medication errors occur with decimal point placement and
unit conversions. Document lot numbers for each reconstituted vial.
Question 4
A patient requires metoprolol 25 mg PO twice daily. The pharmacy dispenses 50 mg scored tablets. How
many tablets should the nurse give per dose?
A. 0.25 tablet
,B. 0.5 tablet
C. 0.75 tablet
D. 1 tablet
Correct Answer: B. 0.5 tablet
Explanation: Desired (25 mg) ÷ Available (50 mg) = 0.5 tablet. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that requires
careful dose titration. The tablets are scored, allowing for accurate splitting. Monitor heart rate and
blood pressure before administration. Hold the dose if the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute
per provider parameters.
Question 5
The provider prescribes furosemide 80 mg IV push. The available concentration is 10 mg/mL. How many
milliliters will the nurse administer?
A. 4 mL
B. 8 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 12 mL
Correct Answer: B. 8 mL
Explanation: Calculate: 80 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 8 mL. Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic. Administer IV
push slowly (not exceeding 20 mg/min) to prevent ototoxicity. Monitor urine output, blood pressure,
and serum potassium levels. Document intake and output accurately during furosemide therapy.
Question 6
The healthcare provider orders ondansetron 8 mg IV every 8 hours PRN nausea. The vial contains 2
mg/mL. How many milliliters will the nurse administer?
, A. 2 mL
B. 4 mL
C. 6 mL
D. 8 mL
Correct Answer: B. 4 mL
Explanation: 8 mg ÷ 2 mg/mL = 4 mL. Ondansetron is an antiemetic commonly used postoperatively and
for chemotherapy-induced nausea. Administer IV push over 2-5 minutes. Assess for ECG changes,
particularly QT interval prolongation, especially in patients with electrolyte imbalances.
Question 7
The order is morphine sulfate 4 mg IV push. The ampule contains 10 mg/mL. How many milliliters will
the nurse draw up?
A. 0.2 mL
B. 0.4 mL
C. 0.6 mL
D. 0.8 mL
Correct Answer: B. 0.4 mL
Explanation: 4 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 0.4 mL. Morphine is an opioid analgesic with significant potential for
respiratory depression. Administer IV push slowly (typically 2-5 mg over 5 minutes). Have naloxone
available at the bedside. Assess respiratory rate, sedation level, and pain score before and after
administration.
Question 8
Practice Examination | High-Yield Dosage Calculations, IV Rates,
Weight-Based Dosing & Medication Safety | Questions, Answers &
Detailed Rationales | Ultimate Nursing Math Mastery Guide |
Premium Study Companion
Question 1
The healthcare provider orders amoxicillin 500 mg PO every 8 hours. The medication is available as 250
mg per 5 mL suspension. How many milliliters will the nurse administer per dose?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 15 mL
D. 20 mL
Correct Answer: B. 10 mL
Explanation: Use the formula: Desired (500 mg) × Quantity (5 mL) ÷ Available (250 mg) = 10 mL. This
calculation requires dimensional analysis: 500 mg × 5 mL/250 mg = 10 mL. Always verify that the dose
makes clinical sense and double-check decimal placement to prevent medication errors.
Question 2
A patient is prescribed digoxin 0.125 mg PO daily. The available tablets are 0.25 mg per tablet. How
many tablets will the nurse administer?
A. 0.25 tablet
B. 0.5 tablet
,C. 1 tablet
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer: B. 0.5 tablet
Explanation: Desired (0.125 mg) ÷ Available (0.25 mg) = 0.5 tablet. Digoxin requires precise dosing with a
narrow therapeutic range. Always verify the order against the patient's recent serum digoxin levels and
monitor for signs of toxicity including nausea, visual disturbances, and bradycardia.
Question 3
The order reads: cefazolin 1 g IV every 8 hours. The pharmacy supplies vials containing 500 mg per vial.
How many vials are needed for one dose?
A. 1 vial
B. 2 vials
C. 3 vials
D. 4 vials
Correct Answer: B. 2 vials
Explanation: Convert 1 g to mg: 1 g = 1000 mg. Calculate: 1000 mg ÷ 500 mg/vial = 2 vials. Always verify
unit conversions carefully; the most common medication errors occur with decimal point placement and
unit conversions. Document lot numbers for each reconstituted vial.
Question 4
A patient requires metoprolol 25 mg PO twice daily. The pharmacy dispenses 50 mg scored tablets. How
many tablets should the nurse give per dose?
A. 0.25 tablet
,B. 0.5 tablet
C. 0.75 tablet
D. 1 tablet
Correct Answer: B. 0.5 tablet
Explanation: Desired (25 mg) ÷ Available (50 mg) = 0.5 tablet. Metoprolol is a beta-blocker that requires
careful dose titration. The tablets are scored, allowing for accurate splitting. Monitor heart rate and
blood pressure before administration. Hold the dose if the heart rate is less than 60 beats per minute
per provider parameters.
Question 5
The provider prescribes furosemide 80 mg IV push. The available concentration is 10 mg/mL. How many
milliliters will the nurse administer?
A. 4 mL
B. 8 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 12 mL
Correct Answer: B. 8 mL
Explanation: Calculate: 80 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 8 mL. Furosemide is a potent loop diuretic. Administer IV
push slowly (not exceeding 20 mg/min) to prevent ototoxicity. Monitor urine output, blood pressure,
and serum potassium levels. Document intake and output accurately during furosemide therapy.
Question 6
The healthcare provider orders ondansetron 8 mg IV every 8 hours PRN nausea. The vial contains 2
mg/mL. How many milliliters will the nurse administer?
, A. 2 mL
B. 4 mL
C. 6 mL
D. 8 mL
Correct Answer: B. 4 mL
Explanation: 8 mg ÷ 2 mg/mL = 4 mL. Ondansetron is an antiemetic commonly used postoperatively and
for chemotherapy-induced nausea. Administer IV push over 2-5 minutes. Assess for ECG changes,
particularly QT interval prolongation, especially in patients with electrolyte imbalances.
Question 7
The order is morphine sulfate 4 mg IV push. The ampule contains 10 mg/mL. How many milliliters will
the nurse draw up?
A. 0.2 mL
B. 0.4 mL
C. 0.6 mL
D. 0.8 mL
Correct Answer: B. 0.4 mL
Explanation: 4 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL = 0.4 mL. Morphine is an opioid analgesic with significant potential for
respiratory depression. Administer IV push slowly (typically 2-5 mg over 5 minutes). Have naloxone
available at the bedside. Assess respiratory rate, sedation level, and pain score before and after
administration.
Question 8
