BSN 215 HESI RN Specialty Dosage
Calculation | Nightingale
1. A provider orders Heparin 1,200 units/hr via continuous IV infusion. The pharmacy
provides a 500 mL bag of D5W containing 25,000 units of Heparin. At what rate in mL/hr
should the nurse set the infusion pump?
A. 48 mL/hr
B. 24 mL/hr
C. 12 mL/hr
D. 30 mL/hr
Answer: B
Rationale: To find the rate, divide the ordered dose (1,200 units/hr) by the concentration
of the bag (25,000 units / 500 mL = 50 units/mL). Dividing 1,200 by 50 results in 24
mL/hr. This calculation ensures the patient receives the exact hourly requirement of the
anticoagulant medication.
2. A patient is prescribed 0.5 g of an antibiotic to be given orally. The medication is available
in 250 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer?
A. 1 capsule
B. 3 capsules
,C. 2 capsules
D. 4 capsules
Answer: C
Rationale: First, convert the grams to milligrams, where 0.5 g equals 500 mg. Then, divide
the desired dose of 500 mg by the available dose of 250 mg per capsule. This calculation
yields a result of 2 capsules, which is the correct amount to provide the full therapeutic
dose.
3. The healthcare provider orders 1,000 mL of 0.45% Normal Saline to infuse over 8 hours.
What is the flow rate in mL/hr?
A. 100 mL/hr
B. 150 mL/hr
C. 125 mL/hr
D. 80 mL/hr
Answer: C
Rationale: To calculate the hourly flow rate, divide the total volume (1,000 mL) by the
total time in hours (8 hours). Dividing 1,000 by 8 equals exactly 125. This ensures that the
IV pump delivers the hydration fluid consistently throughout the prescribed duration.
, 4. A child weighing 22 lbs is prescribed a medication at 5 mg/kg/day divided into two doses.
How many milligrams should the nurse administer per dose?
A. 50 mg
B. 22.5 mg
C. 110 mg
D. 25 mg
Answer: D
Rationale: First, convert the weight from pounds to kilograms by dividing 22 lbs by 2.2,
which equals 10 kg. Then, calculate the total daily dose by multiplying 10 kg by 5 mg/kg,
resulting in 50 mg/day. Finally, divide the total daily dose by 2 to find the single dose
amount of 25 mg.
5. A provider orders 1 gram of Cefazolin in 50 mL of D5W to be infused over 30 minutes. The
tubing drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. What is the infusion rate in drops per minute (gtt/min)?
A. 25 gtt/min
B. 30 gtt/min
C. 15 gtt/min
D. 50 gtt/min
Answer: D