" 2025/2026 Essential RN Dosage Calculation Test
Bank: IV Infusion & Critical Care Medications with
Explanations"
,1. Question: A nurse is preparing to administer nitroprusside at a rate of 7
mcg/kg/min via continuous IV infusion to a client who weighs 63 kg. The
medication is available in a concentration of 50 mg in 250 mL of dextrose 5%
in water (D5W). What should the nurse set the IV pump to, in mL/hr?
Correct Answer: 132.3
Explanation: To calculate the IV pump rate, first determine the dose to be
administered:
Dose = 7 mcg/kg/min × 63 kg = 441 mcg/min.
Next, convert the dose to mg/min: 441 mcg = 0.441 mg.
Then, use the concentration to determine the volume:
Volume = (0.441 mg ÷ 50 mg) × 250 mL = 132.3 mL/hr.
Study Tip: Always convert units (e.g., mcg to mg) before performing
calculations. This ensures accuracy in your answers.
2. Question: A nurse is preparing to give nitroglycerin at 15 mcg/min through
continuous IV infusion. The available concentration is 25 mg of nitroglycerin in
250 mL of dextrose 5% in water (D5W). What is the required IV flow rate, in
mL/hr?
Correct Answer: 9
Explanation: To calculate the IV flow rate, first determine the total mg/min of
the drug to be administered:
, Total dose = 15 mcg/min × 1 min = 15 mcg/min = 0.015 mg/min.
Now, use the concentration of the solution to determine the required volume:
Volume = (0.015 mg/min ÷ 25 mg) × 250 mL = 9 mL/hr.
Study Tip: Pay attention to the units of each drug and solution. If you’re
unsure of the conversion, double-check and practice converting between mcg,
mg, and mL.
3. Question: A nurse is preparing to administer 300 mL of 0.9% sodium
chloride IV over 30 minutes to a client. How many mL/hr should the nurse set
the IV pump to?
Correct Answer: 600
Explanation: To find the flow rate in mL/hr, divide the total volume by the
time in hours:
Flow rate = 300 mL ÷ (30 min ÷ 60 min) = 600 mL/hr.
Study Tip: Always convert the time to hours (if given in minutes) before
calculating the IV flow rate.
4. Question: A nurse is setting up an IV for a client to receive 1,200 mL of
0.9% sodium chloride over 6 hours. What should be the IV pump rate in
Bank: IV Infusion & Critical Care Medications with
Explanations"
,1. Question: A nurse is preparing to administer nitroprusside at a rate of 7
mcg/kg/min via continuous IV infusion to a client who weighs 63 kg. The
medication is available in a concentration of 50 mg in 250 mL of dextrose 5%
in water (D5W). What should the nurse set the IV pump to, in mL/hr?
Correct Answer: 132.3
Explanation: To calculate the IV pump rate, first determine the dose to be
administered:
Dose = 7 mcg/kg/min × 63 kg = 441 mcg/min.
Next, convert the dose to mg/min: 441 mcg = 0.441 mg.
Then, use the concentration to determine the volume:
Volume = (0.441 mg ÷ 50 mg) × 250 mL = 132.3 mL/hr.
Study Tip: Always convert units (e.g., mcg to mg) before performing
calculations. This ensures accuracy in your answers.
2. Question: A nurse is preparing to give nitroglycerin at 15 mcg/min through
continuous IV infusion. The available concentration is 25 mg of nitroglycerin in
250 mL of dextrose 5% in water (D5W). What is the required IV flow rate, in
mL/hr?
Correct Answer: 9
Explanation: To calculate the IV flow rate, first determine the total mg/min of
the drug to be administered:
, Total dose = 15 mcg/min × 1 min = 15 mcg/min = 0.015 mg/min.
Now, use the concentration of the solution to determine the required volume:
Volume = (0.015 mg/min ÷ 25 mg) × 250 mL = 9 mL/hr.
Study Tip: Pay attention to the units of each drug and solution. If you’re
unsure of the conversion, double-check and practice converting between mcg,
mg, and mL.
3. Question: A nurse is preparing to administer 300 mL of 0.9% sodium
chloride IV over 30 minutes to a client. How many mL/hr should the nurse set
the IV pump to?
Correct Answer: 600
Explanation: To find the flow rate in mL/hr, divide the total volume by the
time in hours:
Flow rate = 300 mL ÷ (30 min ÷ 60 min) = 600 mL/hr.
Study Tip: Always convert the time to hours (if given in minutes) before
calculating the IV flow rate.
4. Question: A nurse is setting up an IV for a client to receive 1,200 mL of
0.9% sodium chloride over 6 hours. What should be the IV pump rate in
