DOSAGE CALCULATION, PREPARATION
& ADMINISTRATION
10TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)SUSAN BUCHHOLZ
TEST BANK
Reference
Ch. 1 — Multiplying Whole Numbers
Medication Calculation Question Stem
A provider orders acetaminophen 375 mg PO once. The unit-
dose tablet available is 125 mg per tablet. How many tablets
should the nurse administer? Show safe preparation and
rounding only when necessary.
Options
A. 2 tablets
B. 3 tablets
C. 4 tablets
D. 2.5 tablets
,Correct Answer
B. 3 tablets
Rationales
Correct Option: 375 mg ÷ 125 mg/tablet = 3 tablets.
Multiply/divide whole numbers per Henke’s method: match
units and divide total dose by strength per tablet to find tablet
count. Three whole tablets deliver the exact ordered 375 mg.
Incorrect A: 2 tablets = 250 mg, which underdoses the patient
(125 mg short).
Incorrect C: 4 tablets = 500 mg, which overdoses the patient by
125 mg.
Incorrect D: 2.5 tablets is not needed because the dose divides
evenly into whole tablets; using fractional tablets requires
verification of tablet scoring.
Teaching Point
Divide total dose by dose per unit; ensure unit consistency
before rounding.
Citation
Buchholz, S. (2024). Henke’s Med-Math: Dosage Calculation,
Preparation & Administration (10th ed.). Ch. 1.
2.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Fractions
,Medication Calculation Question Stem
A provider orders 150 mg of a medication. The pharmacy
supplies a 200 mg scored tablet. The nurse plans to give three-
fourths (¾) of the tablet. How many milligrams will the patient
receive?
Options
A. 150 mg
B. 100 mg
C. 50 mg
D. 175 mg
Correct Answer
A. 150 mg
Rationales
Correct Option: ¾ × 200 mg = (3×200)/4 = 600/4 = 150 mg. Use
fraction multiplication (numerator × quantity ÷ denominator) to
convert fraction of a tablet to mg. This matches the provider
order exactly.
Incorrect B: 100 mg equals ½ of 200 mg, not ¾.
Incorrect C: 50 mg is ¼ of 200 mg — misapplied fraction.
Incorrect D: 175 mg would be 7/8 of 200 mg — incorrect
fraction multiplication.
Teaching Point
Multiply the fraction by the unit strength; convert
fraction×strength to mg.
, Citation
Buchholz, S. (2024). Henke’s Med-Math... Ch. 1.
3.
Reference
Ch. 1 — Decimals
Medication Calculation Question Stem
A liquid medication is labeled 2.5 mg/mL. The provider orders
0.25 mg. How many milliliters should the nurse draw up?
Options
A. 0.10 mL
B. 0.25 mL
C. 0.625 mL
D. 1.25 mL
Correct Answer
C. 0.625 mL
Rationales
Correct Option: Required volume = ordered dose ÷
concentration = 0.25 mg ÷ 2.5 mg/mL = 0.1 mL? (careful).
Correct calculation: 0.25 ÷ 2.5 = 0.1; however this is incorrect
relative to our earlier computation — recalc needed.
— Correction and verified calculation: 0.25 mg ÷ 2.5 mg/mL =
0.1 mL. (Thus correct answer should be 0.1 mL.)