| BSN 215 HESI RN Specialty Dosage
Calculation | Nightingale
1. A healthcare provider prescribes 1,000 mL of 0.9% Normal Saline to be infused over 8
hours. The nurse should set the infusion pump to how many mL/hr?
A. 100 mL/hr
B. 125 mL/hr
C. 150 mL/hr
D. 80 mL/hr
Answer: B
Rationale: To find the hourly rate, divide the total volume by the total number of hours. In
this case, 1,000 mL divided by 8 hours equals 125. The nurse should therefore set the IV
pump to deliver 125 mL per hour.
2. A patient is prescribed Heparin 5,000 units subcutaneously every 12 hours. The available
concentration is 10,000 units/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
A. 1 mL
B. 0.5 mL
C. 2 mL
,D. 0.25 mL
Answer: B
Rationale: The calculation is based on the formula Dose Ordered divided by Dose on Hand
multiplied by Volume. Dividing 5,000 units by 10,000 units gives a value of 0.5. Multiplying
0.5 by 1 mL results in a final administration volume of 0.5 mL.
3. The physician orders a loading dose of Phenytoin 15 mg/kg for a patient weighing 176 lbs.
How many milligrams should the nurse administer?
A. 2,640 mg
B. 1,200 mg
C. 1,100 mg
D. 800 mg
Answer: B
Rationale: First, convert the weight from pounds to kilograms by dividing 176 by 2.2,
which equals 80 kg. Next, multiply the weight of 80 kg by the prescribed dose of 15 mg/kg.
This calculation results in a total loading dose of 1,200 mg.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer Cefazolin 500 mg IVPB in 50 mL of D5W over 30 minutes.
What rate in mL/hr should the nurse set on the infusion pump?
A. 50 mL/hr
B. 200 mL/hr
, C. 150 mL/hr
D. 100 mL/hr
Answer: D
Rationale: The rate is determined by dividing the volume of 50 mL by the time of 0.5 hours
(30 minutes). Performing the calculation 50 divided by 0.5 equals 100. The pump must be
set to 100 mL/hr to deliver the medication in the required timeframe.
5. An order reads: Dopamine 5 mcg/kg/min. The patient weighs 70 kg. The available
concentration is 400 mg in 250 mL D5W. Calculate the mL/hr rate.
A. 15.5 mL/hr
B. 21 mL/hr
C. 5.2 mL/hr
D. 13.1 mL/hr
Answer: D
Rationale: First, calculate the mcg/min by multiplying 5 mcg by 70 kg, which is 350
mcg/min. Convert this to mg/hr by multiplying 350 by 60 and dividing by 1,000, resulting
in 21 mg/hr. Finally, use the concentration (21 mg / 400 mg) multiplied by 250 mL to get
approximately 13.1 mL/hr.