BSN HESI 215 Dosage Calculation
Exam Prep: 300 Practice
Questions with Answers &
Rationales ||Already Graded
A+||100% Correct Answers
1. Convert 2.5 liters to milliliters.
oAnswer: 2,500 mL
o Rationale: 1 L = 1,000 mL. 2.5 L × 1,000 = 2,500 mL.
2. Convert 1,800 mL to liters.
oAnswer: 1.8 L
o Rationale: 1,000 mL = 1 L. 1,800 mL ÷ 1,000 = 1.8 L.
3. How many micrograms (mcg) are in 0.75 mg?
oAnswer: 750 mcg
o Rationale: 1 mg = 1,000 mcg. 0.75 mg × 1,000 = 750 mcg.
4. Convert 4,500 mcg to milligrams.
oAnswer: 4.5 mg
o Rationale: 1,000 mcg = 1 mg. 4,500 mcg ÷ 1,000 = 4.5 mg.
5. How many grams are in 2,500 mg?
oAnswer: 2.5 g
o Rationale: 1,000 mg = 1 g. 2,500 mg ÷ 1,000 = 2.5 g.
6. Convert 1.25 g to mg.
o Answer: 1,250 mg
o Rationale: 1 g = 1,000 mg. 1.25 g × 1,000 = 1,250 mg.
7. A patient weighs 176 lb. What is the weight in kilograms?
o Answer: 80 kg
o Rationale: 2.2 lb = 1 kg. 176 lb ÷ 2.2 = 80 kg.
,8. A prescription reads 500 mg of a medication. It is available as
250 mg per tablet. How many tablets should be administered?
o Answer: 2 tablets
o Rationale: 500 mg ÷ 250 mg/tablet = 2 tablets.
9. Order: amoxicillin 0.5 g PO BID. Available: amoxicillin 250 mg
capsules. How many capsules per dose?
o Answer: 2 capsules
o Rationale: 0.5 g = 500 mg. 500 mg ÷ 250 mg/capsule = 2
capsules.
10. Order: metoprolol 25 mg PO daily. Available: metoprolol
50 mg tablets. How many tablets?
o Answer: 0.5 tablet
o Rationale: 25 mg ÷ 50 mg/tablet = 0.5 tablet.
11. A prescription reads 125 mg of a medication. The
available concentration is 250 mg per 5 mL. How many mL
should the nurse administer?
o Answer: 2.5 mL
o Rationale: (125 mg / 250 mg) × 5 mL = 2.5 mL.
12. Order: warfarin 7.5 mg PO daily. Available: warfarin 5 mg
tablets. How many tablets?
o Answer: 1.5 tablets
o Rationale: 7.5 mg ÷ 5 mg/tablet = 1.5 tablets.
13. Order: levothyroxine 0.1 mg PO daily. Available:
levothyroxine 50 mcg tablets. How many tablets?
o Answer: 2 tablets
o Rationale: 0.1 mg = 100 mcg. 100 mcg ÷ 50 mcg/tablet = 2
tablets.
14. Order: phenytoin 100 mg PO TID. Available: phenytoin 50
mg capsules. How many capsules per dose?
o Answer: 2 capsules
o Rationale: 100 mg ÷ 50 mg/capsule = 2 capsules.
15. Order: enoxaparin 40 mg subcut daily. Available:
enoxaparin 80 mg/mL. How many mL?
o Answer: 0.5 mL
, o Rationale: 40 mg ÷ 80 mg/mL = 0.5 mL.
16. Order: regular insulin 12 units subcut. Available: insulin
100 units/mL. How many mL?
o Answer: 0.12 mL
o Rationale: 12 units ÷ 100 units/mL = 0.12 mL.
17. Order: digoxin 0.125 mg PO daily. Available: digoxin 0.25
mg tablets. How many tablets?
o Answer: 0.5 tablet
o Rationale: 0.125 mg ÷ 0.25 mg/tablet = 0.5 tablet.
18. Order: 250 mg of an oral suspension. Label: 125 mg/5
mL. How many mL?
o Answer: 10 mL
o Rationale: (250 mg / 125 mg) × 5 mL = 10 mL.
19. How many teaspoons are in 30 mL?
o Answer: 6 tsp
o Rationale: 1 tsp = 5 mL. 30 mL ÷ 5 mL/tsp = 6 tsp.
20. A child weighs 22 lb. Order: acetaminophen 15
mg/kg/dose. Available: 160 mg/5 mL. How many mL per dose?
(Round to nearest tenth)
o Answer: 4.7 mL
o Rationale: 22 lb ÷ 2.2 = 10 kg. Dose = 10 kg × 15 mg/kg =
150 mg. (150 mg / 160 mg) × 5 mL = 4.6875 ≈ 4.7 mL.
Weight-Based & IV Calculations
21. A child weighs 44 lb. Order: ceftriaxone 50 mg/kg/day
divided BID. Available: 100 mg/mL. Calculate mL per dose.
oAnswer: 5 mL
o Rationale: 44 lb ÷ 2.2 = 20 kg. Daily dose = 20 kg × 50
mg/kg = 1000 mg. Per dose = 1000 mg ÷ 2 = 500 mg. mL =
500 mg ÷ 100 mg/mL = 5 mL.
22. A pediatric patient is to receive 20 mg/kg of a
medication. The child weighs 15 kg. What is the total dose?
o Answer: 300 mg
o Rationale: 15 kg × 20 mg/kg = 300 mg.
, 23. Infuse 1,000 mL over 8 hours. What is the rate in mL/hr?
oAnswer: 125 mL/hr
o Rationale: 1000 mL ÷ 8 hr = 125 mL/hr.
24. A patient receives 3,000 mL of fluid in 24 hours. How
many mL/hr on average?
oAnswer: 125 mL/hr
o Rationale: 3000 mL ÷ 24 hr = 125 mL/hr.
25. A patient needs 2,500 mL over 20 hours. What is the
mL/hr rate?
oAnswer: 125 mL/hr
o Rationale: 2500 mL ÷ 20 hr = 125 mL/hr.
26. Infuse 500 mL of 0.45% NS over 5 hours. What is the
pump setting in mL/hr?
o Answer: 100 mL/hr
o Rationale: 500 mL ÷ 5 hr = 100 mL/hr.
27. Infuse 100 mL of IVPB over 30 minutes. Drop factor 15
gtt/mL. Find gtt/min.
o Answer: 50 gtt/min
o Rationale: (100 mL / 30 min) × 15 gtt/mL = 50 gtt/min.
28. The nurse must administer 2,000 mL of D5W over 24
hours. The drip factor is 15 gtt/mL. Calculate the gtt/min.
o Answer: 21 gtt/min
o Rationale: 2000 mL ÷ 24 hr = 83.33 mL/hr. 83.33 mL/hr ÷ 60
min/hr = 1.388 mL/min. 1.388 mL/min × 15 gtt/mL = 20.83 ≈
21 gtt/min.
29. An IV of 1,000 mL Normal Saline is ordered to infuse over
8 hours. At what rate in mL/hr should the nurse set the
infusion pump?
o Answer: 125 mL/hr
o Rationale: 1000 mL ÷ 8 hr = 125 mL/hr.
30. An IV is infusing at 125 mL/hr. How many mL will infuse
in 4 hours?
o Answer: 500 mL
o Rationale: 125 mL/hr × 4 hr = 500 mL.
Exam Prep: 300 Practice
Questions with Answers &
Rationales ||Already Graded
A+||100% Correct Answers
1. Convert 2.5 liters to milliliters.
oAnswer: 2,500 mL
o Rationale: 1 L = 1,000 mL. 2.5 L × 1,000 = 2,500 mL.
2. Convert 1,800 mL to liters.
oAnswer: 1.8 L
o Rationale: 1,000 mL = 1 L. 1,800 mL ÷ 1,000 = 1.8 L.
3. How many micrograms (mcg) are in 0.75 mg?
oAnswer: 750 mcg
o Rationale: 1 mg = 1,000 mcg. 0.75 mg × 1,000 = 750 mcg.
4. Convert 4,500 mcg to milligrams.
oAnswer: 4.5 mg
o Rationale: 1,000 mcg = 1 mg. 4,500 mcg ÷ 1,000 = 4.5 mg.
5. How many grams are in 2,500 mg?
oAnswer: 2.5 g
o Rationale: 1,000 mg = 1 g. 2,500 mg ÷ 1,000 = 2.5 g.
6. Convert 1.25 g to mg.
o Answer: 1,250 mg
o Rationale: 1 g = 1,000 mg. 1.25 g × 1,000 = 1,250 mg.
7. A patient weighs 176 lb. What is the weight in kilograms?
o Answer: 80 kg
o Rationale: 2.2 lb = 1 kg. 176 lb ÷ 2.2 = 80 kg.
,8. A prescription reads 500 mg of a medication. It is available as
250 mg per tablet. How many tablets should be administered?
o Answer: 2 tablets
o Rationale: 500 mg ÷ 250 mg/tablet = 2 tablets.
9. Order: amoxicillin 0.5 g PO BID. Available: amoxicillin 250 mg
capsules. How many capsules per dose?
o Answer: 2 capsules
o Rationale: 0.5 g = 500 mg. 500 mg ÷ 250 mg/capsule = 2
capsules.
10. Order: metoprolol 25 mg PO daily. Available: metoprolol
50 mg tablets. How many tablets?
o Answer: 0.5 tablet
o Rationale: 25 mg ÷ 50 mg/tablet = 0.5 tablet.
11. A prescription reads 125 mg of a medication. The
available concentration is 250 mg per 5 mL. How many mL
should the nurse administer?
o Answer: 2.5 mL
o Rationale: (125 mg / 250 mg) × 5 mL = 2.5 mL.
12. Order: warfarin 7.5 mg PO daily. Available: warfarin 5 mg
tablets. How many tablets?
o Answer: 1.5 tablets
o Rationale: 7.5 mg ÷ 5 mg/tablet = 1.5 tablets.
13. Order: levothyroxine 0.1 mg PO daily. Available:
levothyroxine 50 mcg tablets. How many tablets?
o Answer: 2 tablets
o Rationale: 0.1 mg = 100 mcg. 100 mcg ÷ 50 mcg/tablet = 2
tablets.
14. Order: phenytoin 100 mg PO TID. Available: phenytoin 50
mg capsules. How many capsules per dose?
o Answer: 2 capsules
o Rationale: 100 mg ÷ 50 mg/capsule = 2 capsules.
15. Order: enoxaparin 40 mg subcut daily. Available:
enoxaparin 80 mg/mL. How many mL?
o Answer: 0.5 mL
, o Rationale: 40 mg ÷ 80 mg/mL = 0.5 mL.
16. Order: regular insulin 12 units subcut. Available: insulin
100 units/mL. How many mL?
o Answer: 0.12 mL
o Rationale: 12 units ÷ 100 units/mL = 0.12 mL.
17. Order: digoxin 0.125 mg PO daily. Available: digoxin 0.25
mg tablets. How many tablets?
o Answer: 0.5 tablet
o Rationale: 0.125 mg ÷ 0.25 mg/tablet = 0.5 tablet.
18. Order: 250 mg of an oral suspension. Label: 125 mg/5
mL. How many mL?
o Answer: 10 mL
o Rationale: (250 mg / 125 mg) × 5 mL = 10 mL.
19. How many teaspoons are in 30 mL?
o Answer: 6 tsp
o Rationale: 1 tsp = 5 mL. 30 mL ÷ 5 mL/tsp = 6 tsp.
20. A child weighs 22 lb. Order: acetaminophen 15
mg/kg/dose. Available: 160 mg/5 mL. How many mL per dose?
(Round to nearest tenth)
o Answer: 4.7 mL
o Rationale: 22 lb ÷ 2.2 = 10 kg. Dose = 10 kg × 15 mg/kg =
150 mg. (150 mg / 160 mg) × 5 mL = 4.6875 ≈ 4.7 mL.
Weight-Based & IV Calculations
21. A child weighs 44 lb. Order: ceftriaxone 50 mg/kg/day
divided BID. Available: 100 mg/mL. Calculate mL per dose.
oAnswer: 5 mL
o Rationale: 44 lb ÷ 2.2 = 20 kg. Daily dose = 20 kg × 50
mg/kg = 1000 mg. Per dose = 1000 mg ÷ 2 = 500 mg. mL =
500 mg ÷ 100 mg/mL = 5 mL.
22. A pediatric patient is to receive 20 mg/kg of a
medication. The child weighs 15 kg. What is the total dose?
o Answer: 300 mg
o Rationale: 15 kg × 20 mg/kg = 300 mg.
, 23. Infuse 1,000 mL over 8 hours. What is the rate in mL/hr?
oAnswer: 125 mL/hr
o Rationale: 1000 mL ÷ 8 hr = 125 mL/hr.
24. A patient receives 3,000 mL of fluid in 24 hours. How
many mL/hr on average?
oAnswer: 125 mL/hr
o Rationale: 3000 mL ÷ 24 hr = 125 mL/hr.
25. A patient needs 2,500 mL over 20 hours. What is the
mL/hr rate?
oAnswer: 125 mL/hr
o Rationale: 2500 mL ÷ 20 hr = 125 mL/hr.
26. Infuse 500 mL of 0.45% NS over 5 hours. What is the
pump setting in mL/hr?
o Answer: 100 mL/hr
o Rationale: 500 mL ÷ 5 hr = 100 mL/hr.
27. Infuse 100 mL of IVPB over 30 minutes. Drop factor 15
gtt/mL. Find gtt/min.
o Answer: 50 gtt/min
o Rationale: (100 mL / 30 min) × 15 gtt/mL = 50 gtt/min.
28. The nurse must administer 2,000 mL of D5W over 24
hours. The drip factor is 15 gtt/mL. Calculate the gtt/min.
o Answer: 21 gtt/min
o Rationale: 2000 mL ÷ 24 hr = 83.33 mL/hr. 83.33 mL/hr ÷ 60
min/hr = 1.388 mL/min. 1.388 mL/min × 15 gtt/mL = 20.83 ≈
21 gtt/min.
29. An IV of 1,000 mL Normal Saline is ordered to infuse over
8 hours. At what rate in mL/hr should the nurse set the
infusion pump?
o Answer: 125 mL/hr
o Rationale: 1000 mL ÷ 8 hr = 125 mL/hr.
30. An IV is infusing at 125 mL/hr. How many mL will infuse
in 4 hours?
o Answer: 500 mL
o Rationale: 125 mL/hr × 4 hr = 500 mL.
