DOSAGE CALCULATIONS MADE
EASY
SOLVING PROBLEMS USING
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)GLORIA PEARL
CRAIG
TEST BANK
,Question 1
Topic: Dimensional Analysis Fundamentals
The healthcare provider orders amoxicillin 500 mg PO every 12
hours. The medication is available as amoxicillin 250 mg per 5
mL. How many milliliters will the nurse administer per dose?
A. 5 mL
B. 7.5 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 12.5 mL
Correct Answer: C. 10 mL
Rationale:
Step 1: Identify the desired dose and available concentration.
• Ordered: 500 mg
• Available: 250 mg/5 mL
Step 2: Set up dimensional analysis equation.
text
500 mg × 5 mL / 250 mg
Step 3: Cancel units and calculate.
text
500 × = = 10 mL
,Medication Safety Note: Always verify that the prescribed dose
is within safe parameters. Double-check calculations by
estimating: since 500 mg is twice the 250 mg concentration, the
volume should be twice 5 mL, which equals 10 mL.
Question 2
Topic: Oral Dosage Calculations
A client is prescribed cephalexin 750 mg PO every 6 hours. The
pharmacy provides cephalexin 500 mg tablets. How many
tablets will the nurse administer per dose?
A. 0.5 tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 1.5 tablets
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer: C. 1.5 tablets
Rationale:
Step 1: Identify the desired dose and available dose per tablet.
• Ordered: 750 mg
• Available: 500 mg/tablet
Step 2: Set up dimensional analysis equation.
text
, 750 mg × 1 tablet / 500 mg
Step 3: Cancel units and calculate.
text
= 1.5 tablets
Medication Safety Note: When administering scored tablets,
verify they can be safely split. If the tablet is not scored, contact
the pharmacy for an alternative formulation. Always use a
tablet splitter for accurate dosing.
Question 3
Topic: Injectable Medications
The healthcare provider orders meperidine 75 mg IM every 4
hours PRN for severe pain. The available medication is
meperidine 100 mg/mL. How many milliliters will the nurse
administer?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 0.75 mL
C. 1 mL
D. 1.25 mL
Correct Answer: B. 0.75 mL
Rationale:
EASY
SOLVING PROBLEMS USING
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)GLORIA PEARL
CRAIG
TEST BANK
,Question 1
Topic: Dimensional Analysis Fundamentals
The healthcare provider orders amoxicillin 500 mg PO every 12
hours. The medication is available as amoxicillin 250 mg per 5
mL. How many milliliters will the nurse administer per dose?
A. 5 mL
B. 7.5 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 12.5 mL
Correct Answer: C. 10 mL
Rationale:
Step 1: Identify the desired dose and available concentration.
• Ordered: 500 mg
• Available: 250 mg/5 mL
Step 2: Set up dimensional analysis equation.
text
500 mg × 5 mL / 250 mg
Step 3: Cancel units and calculate.
text
500 × = = 10 mL
,Medication Safety Note: Always verify that the prescribed dose
is within safe parameters. Double-check calculations by
estimating: since 500 mg is twice the 250 mg concentration, the
volume should be twice 5 mL, which equals 10 mL.
Question 2
Topic: Oral Dosage Calculations
A client is prescribed cephalexin 750 mg PO every 6 hours. The
pharmacy provides cephalexin 500 mg tablets. How many
tablets will the nurse administer per dose?
A. 0.5 tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 1.5 tablets
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer: C. 1.5 tablets
Rationale:
Step 1: Identify the desired dose and available dose per tablet.
• Ordered: 750 mg
• Available: 500 mg/tablet
Step 2: Set up dimensional analysis equation.
text
, 750 mg × 1 tablet / 500 mg
Step 3: Cancel units and calculate.
text
= 1.5 tablets
Medication Safety Note: When administering scored tablets,
verify they can be safely split. If the tablet is not scored, contact
the pharmacy for an alternative formulation. Always use a
tablet splitter for accurate dosing.
Question 3
Topic: Injectable Medications
The healthcare provider orders meperidine 75 mg IM every 4
hours PRN for severe pain. The available medication is
meperidine 100 mg/mL. How many milliliters will the nurse
administer?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 0.75 mL
C. 1 mL
D. 1.25 mL
Correct Answer: B. 0.75 mL
Rationale:
