Spring Semester February 2026 Dosage Calculations Exam Prep | Step-by-Step Medication Math, Dimensional Analysis, IV Flow Rates, Pediatric & Adult Dosing, NCLEX-Style Practice Questions, Worked Examples & Nursing Exam Readiness Guide

Spring Semester February 2026 Dosage Calculations Exam Prep | Step-
by-Step Medication Math, Dimensional Analysis, IV Flow Rates, Pediatric &
Adult Dosing, NCLEX-Style Practice Questions, Worked Examples &
Nursing Exam Readiness Guide
Question 1:
To administer a medication, a nurse needs to calculate how many milliliters to give if the
medication is ordered at 50 mg and the concentration is 25 mg/mL.
Options:
A) 1 mL
B) 2 mL
C) 3 mL
D) 4 mL
Correct Option: B) 2 mL
Rationale:
To find the volume in mL, use the formula:
Dose ordered 50 mg
Volume = = = 2 mL
Concentration 25 mg/mL


Question 2:
A patient is prescribed 500 mg of a medication, and the pharmacy provides it in 200 mg
tablets. How many tablets will the patient take?
Options:
A) 1 tablet
B) 2 tablets
C) 3 tablets
D) 4 tablets
Correct Option: C) 3 tablets
Rationale:
To determine the number of tablets, divide the total dose by the dose per tablet:
Total dose 500 mg
Number of tablets = = = 2.5 tablets
Dose per tablet 200 mg/tablet


Since tablets cannot be split into non-whole numbers, you would administer 3 tablets,
rounding up to ensure the patient receives the necessary dosage.
Question 3:
A doctor orders a medication to be given at 1.5 g. The medication is available in vials
containing 500 mg each. How many vials will the nurse need?

,Options:
A) 1 vial
B) 2 vials
C) 3 vials
D) 4 vials
Correct Option: C) 3 vials
Rationale:
Convert grams to milligrams:

1.5 g = 1500 mg


Then, divide the total milligrams by the amount in each vial:
1500 mg
Number of vials = = 3 vials
500 mg/vial


Question 4:
A medication requires a loading dose of 0.6 mg/kg for a patient who weighs 70 kg. What
is the total loading dose in mg?
Options:
A) 30 mg
B) 42 mg
C) 48 mg
D) 60 mg
Correct Option: B) 42 mg
Rationale:
Calculate the total loading dose using the formula:

Total dose = Dose per kg × Weight = 0.6 mg/kg × 70 kg = 42 mg


Question 5:
A nurse needs to prepare a solution of 250 mL containing 10% dextrose. How many
grams of dextrose should the nurse add?
Options:
A) 25 g
B) 50 g
C) 75 g
D) 100 g

,Correct Option: B) 25 g
Rationale:
To find the grams of dextrose, calculate as follows:
\text{ grams of dextrose} = \text{Volume} \times \text{% concentration} = 250 \, \text{mL}
\times 0.10 = 25 \, \text{g}
Question 6:
A patient is prescribed 1.2 L of IV fluids per day. If you need to administer this over a 24-
hour period, how many mL per hour will you need to set the IV pump to deliver?
Options:
A) 50 mL/hr
B) 75 mL/hr
C) 100 mL/hr
D) 125 mL/hr
Correct Option: C) 100 mL/hr
Rationale:
Convert 1.2 liters to milliliters:

1.2 L = 1200 mL


Then divide by the number of hours:
1200 mL
Rate = = 50 mL/hr
24 hr


Question 7:
A medication is ordered at 350 mg, and you have a vial that contains 200 mg/5 mL. How
many milliliters will you need to administer?
Options:
A) 5 mL
B) 7.5 mL
C) 10 mL
D) 15 mL
Correct Option: B) 7.5 mL
Rationale:
First, find out how many mg are in 1 mL:
200 mg
Concentration = = 40 mg/mL
5 mL

, Now calculate the volume needed for 350 mg:
350 mg
Volume = = 8.75 mL
40 mg/mL


Question 8:
A patient is prescribed 1.5 g of medication daily. If the medication is available in 250 mg
tablets, how many tablets must the patient take in a day?
Options:
A) 2 tablets
B) 5 tablets
C) 6 tablets
D) 8 tablets
Correct Option: C) 6 tablets
Rationale:
Convert grams to milligrams:

1.5 g = 1500 mg


Now divide by the mg per tablet:
1500 mg
Number of tablets = = 6 tablets
250 mg/tablet


Question 9:
A nurse needs to administer a medication at 0.02 mg/kg to a 90 kg patient. What is the
total dose in mg?
Options:
A) 1 mg
B) 1.5 mg
C) 2 mg
D) 3 mg
Correct Option: A) 1.8 mg
Rationale:
Calculate the total dose:

Total dose = 0.02 mg/kg × 90 kg = 1.8 mg