BSN 215 HESI RN Specialty Dosage
Calculation | Nightingale
1. A healthcare provider prescribes 0.25 g of a medication. The medication is available in 125
mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 1 tablet
D. 3 tablets
Answer: B
Rationale: First, convert the prescribed dose from grams to milligrams by multiplying 0.25
g by 1,000, which equals 250 mg. Next, use the formula of dose ordered divided by dose on
hand, which is 250 mg divided by 125 mg. This calculation results in 2 tablets to be
administered to the patient.
2. An IV of 1,000 mL 0.9% Normal Saline is ordered to infuse over 8 hours. At what rate
should the nurse set the IV pump in mL/hr?
A. 100 mL/hr
B. 150 mL/hr
C. 125 mL/hr
,D. 80 mL/hr
Answer: C
Rationale: To find the hourly rate, divide the total volume of 1,000 mL by the total time of
8 hours. The calculation 1,000 divided by 8 equals 125. Therefore, the nurse should set the
infusion pump to 125 mL/hr.
3. The physician orders 500 mg of an antibiotic to be given IV piggyback over 30 minutes. The
medication is supplied in 100 mL of 5% Dextrose. At what rate should the IV pump be set in
mL/hr?
A. 50 mL/hr
B. 200 mL/hr
C. 100 mL/hr
D. 300 mL/hr
Answer: B
Rationale: First, recognize that 30 minutes is equal to 0.5 hours. To find the mL/hr rate,
divide the total volume of 100 mL by the time in hours, which is 0.5. This calculation results
in a pump setting of 200 mL/hr.
4. A child weighing 22 lbs is prescribed 5 mg/kg of a medication. How many milligrams should
the child receive per dose?
A. 110 mg
, B. 50 mg
C. 22 mg
D. 100 mg
Answer: B
Rationale: First, convert the child’s weight from pounds to kilograms by dividing 22 lbs by
2.2, which equals 10 kg. Then, multiply the weight in kg by the prescribed dosage of 5
mg/kg. The final dose is 50 mg per administration.
5. A healthcare provider orders Heparin 1,200 units/hr IV. The Heparin concentration is
25,000 units in 500 mL of 0.45% Normal Saline. At what rate should the nurse set the IV pump
in mL/hr?
A. 48 mL/hr
B. 12 mL/hr
C. 24 mL/hr
D. 25 mL/hr
Answer: C
Rationale: Start by identifying the concentration of the Heparin solution, which is 25,000
units per 500 mL. Use the formula (1,200 units / 25,000 units) multiplied by 500 mL to
determine the volume. This results in a flow rate of 24 mL/hr.