Solving Problems Using Dimensional

DOSAGE CALCULATIONS MADE
EASY
SOLVING PROBLEMS USING
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)GLORIA PEARL
CRAIG




TEST BANK

,Question 1 (Easy)
A provider prescribes amoxicillin 500 mg PO. The medication
label reads 250 mg per capsule. How many capsules should the
nurse administer?
A. 1 capsule
B. 2 capsules
C. 3 capsules
D. 4 capsules
Correct Answer: B. 2 capsules
Rationale:
Step 1: Set up dimensional analysis.
[
500\ \text{mg} \times \frac{1\ \text{capsule}}{250\ \text{mg}}
]
Step 2: Cancel mg.
[
=\frac{500}{250}=2\ \text{capsules}
]
Step 3: Administer 2 capsules.
Medication Safety Note: Always verify that the prescribed dose
matches the available capsule strength before administration.

,Question 2 (Easy)
The provider prescribes acetaminophen 650 mg PO. The
suspension available is 160 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters
should the nurse administer?
A. 15.3 mL
B. 20.3 mL
C. 18.5 mL
D. 25 mL
Correct Answer: B. 20.3 mL
Rationale:
Step 1:
[
650\ \text{mg}\times\frac{5\ \text{mL}}{160\ \text{mg}}
]
Step 2:
[
=\frac{3250}{160}=20.31\ \text{mL}
]
Step 3: Round to the nearest tenth.
Answer = 20.3 mL

, Medication Safety Note: Use an oral syringe for accurate
measurement of liquid medications.


Question 3 (Easy)
Convert 2.5 grams to milligrams.
A. 25 mg
B. 250 mg
C. 2,500 mg
D. 25,000 mg
Correct Answer: C. 2,500 mg
Rationale:
Step 1:
[
2.5\ \text{g}\times\frac{1000\ \text{mg}}{1\ \text{g}}
]
Step 2:
[
=2500\ \text{mg}
]
Medication Safety Note: Incorrect gram-to-milligram
conversions are a common source of medication errors.