Solving Problems Using
Dimensional Analysis
8th Edition
• Author(s)Gloria Pearl Craig
TEST BANK
1) Arabic Numbers and Roman Numerals
Reference: Ch. 1 — Arabic Numbers and Roman Numerals
Question: The provider prescribes IX mg of a medication PO
now. The pharmacy sends 3 mg tablets. How many tablets
should the nurse administer?
Options:
A. 1 tablet
,B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 6 tablets
Correct Answer: C. 3 tablets
Rationale — Correct Answer:
IX = 9 mg. Using dimensional analysis:
9 mg×1 tablet3 mg=3 tablets9 \text{ mg} \times \frac{1 \text{
tablet}}{3 \text{ mg}} = 3 \text{ tablets}9 mg×3 mg1 tablet
=3 tablets. The mg units cancel, leaving tablets.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. 1 tablet reflects dividing 9 by 9 instead of 3.
B. 2 tablets is a common undercounting error.
D. 6 tablets incorrectly doubles the dose and is unsafe.
Teaching Point: Roman numerals must be converted correctly
before calculating a dose.
Citation: Craig, G. P. (2025). Dosage Calculations Made Easy:
Solving Problems Using Dimensional Analysis (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
2) Arabic Numbers and Roman Numerals
Reference: Ch. 1 — Arabic Numbers and Roman Numerals
Question: The provider orders VI mg of a medication. The
available strength is 2 mg per tablet. How many tablets should
the nurse give?
Options:
A. 2 tablets
,B. 3 tablets
C. 4 tablets
D. 6 tablets
Correct Answer: B. 3 tablets
Rationale — Correct Answer:
VI = 6 mg. Set up the calculation as
6 mg×1 tablet2 mg=3 tablets6 \text{ mg} \times \frac{1 \text{
tablet}}{2 \text{ mg}} = 3 \text{ tablets}6 mg×2 mg1 tablet
=3 tablets. The mg units cancel, leaving tablets.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. 2 tablets gives only 4 mg.
C. 4 tablets gives 8 mg, which is too much.
D. 6 tablets is a serious overdosage error.
Teaching Point: Convert Roman numerals before applying the
tablet-strength ratio.
Citation: Craig, G. P. (2025). Dosage Calculations Made Easy:
Solving Problems Using Dimensional Analysis (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
3) Arabic Numbers and Roman Numerals
Reference: Ch. 1 — Arabic Numbers and Roman Numerals
Question: A provider writes an order for XL mg of a medication.
The tablets are 10 mg each. How many tablets should the nurse
prepare?
Options:
A. 2 tablets
, B. 3 tablets
C. 4 tablets
D. 5 tablets
Correct Answer: C. 4 tablets
Rationale — Correct Answer:
XL = 40 mg. Dimensional analysis:
40 mg×1 tablet10 mg=4 tablets40 \text{ mg} \times \frac{1
\text{ tablet}}{10 \text{ mg}} = 4 \text{
tablets}40 mg×10 mg1 tablet=4 tablets. The mg units cancel
correctly.
Rationale — Incorrect Options:
A. 2 tablets provides only 20 mg.
B. 3 tablets provides 30 mg.
D. 5 tablets provides 50 mg and exceeds the order.
Teaching Point: Roman numerals can hide a simple arithmetic
error if not translated first.
Citation: Craig, G. P. (2025). Dosage Calculations Made Easy:
Solving Problems Using Dimensional Analysis (8th ed.). Ch. 1.
4) Arabic Numbers and Roman Numerals
Reference: Ch. 1 — Arabic Numbers and Roman Numerals
Question: The provider prescribes XIV mg of a medication. The
unit dose available is 7 mg per capsule. How many capsules
should the nurse administer?
Options: