NURS711 — Comprehensive Final Practice Exam 2026–2027
NURS 711 | Pharmacotherapies for Nursing Practice
Institution / scope: University of South Carolina
Contents: 150 independently authored educational practice questions with one keyed answer and a rationale per question;
quick answer key at the end.
Original practice questions
Worked Medication Calculations
1. A fictional prescription specifies 300 mg orally; each tablet is 100 mg and is scored when a half-tablet is required.
How many tablets provide the ordered amount?
A. 1.5 tablet(s)
B. 3 tablet(s)
C. 30 tablet(s)
D. 6 tablet(s)
Correct Answer: B — 3 tablet(s)
Rationale: Calculation: 300 mg ÷ 100 mg/tablet = 3 tablet(s). Use scored tablets only if product policy permits
splitting.
2. A fictional prescription specifies 300 mg orally; each tablet is 200 mg and is scored when a half-tablet is required.
How many tablets provide the ordered amount?
A. 0.75 tablet(s)
B. 15 tablet(s)
C. 3 tablet(s)
D. 1.5 tablet(s)
Correct Answer: D — 1.5 tablet(s)
Rationale: Calculation: 300.0 mg ÷ 200 mg/tablet = 1.5 tablet(s). Use scored tablets only if product policy permits
splitting.
3. A fictional prescription specifies 400 mg orally; each tablet is 200 mg and is scored when a half-tablet is required.
How many tablets provide the ordered amount?
A. 4 tablet(s)
B. 2 tablet(s)
C. 20 tablet(s)
D. 1 tablet(s)
Correct Answer: B — 2 tablet(s)
Rationale: Calculation: 400 mg ÷ 200 mg/tablet = 2 tablet(s). Use scored tablets only if product policy permits
splitting.
4. A fictional weight-based order specifies 10 mg/kg per dose for a 12-kg patient. What is the prescribed number of
milligrams per dose?
A. 60 mg
B. 1200 mg
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C. 120 mg
D. 240 mg
Correct Answer: C — 120 mg
Rationale: Weight-based calculation: 10 mg/kg × 12 kg = 120 mg per dose. Verify clinically appropriate maximum
doses before any real use.
5. A fictional weight-based order specifies 4 mg/kg per dose for a 12-kg patient. What is the prescribed number of
milligrams per dose?
A. 480 mg
B. 48 mg
C. 96 mg
D. 24 mg
Correct Answer: B — 48 mg
Rationale: Weight-based calculation: 4 mg/kg × 12 kg = 48 mg per dose. Verify clinically appropriate maximum doses
before any real use.
6. A simulated medication order states 0.25 mg. Express that amount in micrograms.
A. 500 micrograms
B. 2500 micrograms
C. 250 micrograms
D. 125 micrograms
Correct Answer: C — 250 micrograms
Rationale: Convert mg to micrograms: 0.25 × 1,000 = 250 micrograms.
7. A simulated medication order states 0.75 mg. Express that amount in micrograms.
A. 7500 micrograms
B. 750 micrograms
C. 1500 micrograms
D. 375 micrograms
Correct Answer: B — 750 micrograms
Rationale: Convert mg to micrograms: 0.75 × 1,000 = 750 micrograms.
8. A simulated medication order states 2.5 mg. Express that amount in micrograms.
A. 5000 micrograms
B. 25000 micrograms
C. 2500 micrograms
D. 1250 micrograms
Correct Answer: C — 2500 micrograms
Rationale: Convert mg to micrograms: 2.5 × 1,000 = 2500 micrograms.
9. For a supervised nursing calculation exercise, 150 mL is prescribed to infuse evenly over 3 hours. What is the
pump rate?
A. 500 mL/hour
B. 25 mL/hour
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C. 50 mL/hour
D. 100 mL/hour
Correct Answer: C — 50 mL/hour
Rationale: Pump rate = total volume/time = 150/3 = 50 mL/hour. Confirm the device, line and authorized order
clinically.
10. For a supervised nursing calculation exercise, 225 mL is prescribed to infuse evenly over 3 hours. What is the
pump rate?
A. 37.5 mL/hour
B. 75 mL/hour
C. 750 mL/hour
D. 150 mL/hour
Correct Answer: B — 75 mL/hour
Rationale: Pump rate = total volume/time = 225/3 = 75 mL/hour. Confirm the device, line and authorized order
clinically.
11. A patient treated with alendronate takes the tablet while lying down at bedtime and complains of painful
swallowing. What needs correction?
A. Administration technique and evaluation for esophageal irritation
B. The patient should immediately take two more tablets
C. It is best mixed in juice
D. Remain flat after each dose
Correct Answer: A — Administration technique and evaluation for esophageal irritation
Rationale: Improper oral bisphosphonate administration can injure the esophagus.
12. Arithmetic practice only: patient weight 20 kg; ordered dose 8 mg/kg/dose. What is the calculated amount for
ONE dose?
A. 80 mg
B. 160 mg
C. 8 mg
D. 320 mg
Correct Answer: B — 160 mg
Rationale: Dose = 20 kg × 8 mg/kg/dose = 160 mg. This is a math exercise, not a recommended clinical dose.
13. Arithmetic practice only: patient weight 35 kg; ordered dose 20 mg/kg/dose. What is the calculated amount for
ONE dose?
A. 1400 mg
B. 20 mg
C. 350 mg
D. 700 mg
Correct Answer: D — 700 mg
Rationale: Dose = 35 kg × 20 mg/kg/dose = 700 mg. This is a math exercise, not a recommended clinical dose.
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14. Order: 0.5 g. Available: 250 mg/tablet. How many tablets? (1 g = 1000 mg.)
A. 1 tablets
B. 2 tablets
C. 500 tablets
D. 0 tablets
Correct Answer: B — 2 tablets
Rationale: 0.5 g × 1000 = 500 mg; 500 mg ÷ 250 mg/tablet = 2 tablets.
15. Order: 0.6 g. Available: 300 mg/tablet. How many tablets? (1 g = 1000 mg.)
A. 600 tablets
B. 0 tablets
C. 1 tablets
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer: D — 2 tablets
Rationale: 0.6 g × 1000 = 600 mg; 600 mg ÷ 300 mg/tablet = 2 tablets.
16. Order: 1 g. Available: 500 mg/tablet. How many tablets? (1 g = 1000 mg.)
A. 1 tablets
B. 2 tablets
C. 0 tablets
D. 1000 tablets
Correct Answer: B — 2 tablets
Rationale: 1 g × 1000 = 1000 mg; 1000 mg ÷ 500 mg/tablet = 2 tablets.
17. Order: 1.25 g. Available: 250 mg/tablet. How many tablets? (1 g = 1000 mg.)
A. 2.5 tablets
B. 1250 tablets
C. 0.01 tablets
D. 5 tablets
Correct Answer: D — 5 tablets
Rationale: 1.25 g × 1000 = 1250 mg; 1250 mg ÷ 250 mg/tablet = 5 tablets.
18. Order: 250 mg PO. Available: 500 mg per tablet (tablet can be split if needed). How many tablets?
A. 0.25 tablets
B. 2 tablets
C. 0.5 tablets
D. 5 tablets
Correct Answer: C — 0.5 tablets
Rationale: Ordered ÷ available = 250 mg ÷ 500 mg/tablet = 0.5 tablets.
19. Order: acetaminophen 650 mg orally. Stock: 325 mg/tablet. How many tablets?
A. 2 tablets
B. 3 tablets
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