DOSAGE CALCULATIONS MADE
EASY
SOLVING PROBLEMS USING
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)GLORIA PEARL
CRAIG
TEST BANK
,Question 1
Topic: Dimensional Analysis Fundamentals
Difficulty: Easy
The healthcare provider orders amoxicillin 0.5 g by mouth twice
daily for a pediatric patient. The medication is available as a
liquid suspension with a concentration of 250 mg per 5 mL.
How many mL of the suspension should the nurse administer
per dose?
A. 2.5 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 20 mL
Correct Answer: C. 10 mL
Rationale:
Step 1: Set up the problem using dimensional analysis. The goal
is to find the volume (mL) to administer for the ordered dose.
Step 2:
0.5 g1×1000 mg1 g×5 mL250 mg= mL/dose10.5 g×1 g1000 mg
×250 mg5 mL= mL/dose
Step 3: Cancel units. Grams (g) cancel with grams, milligrams
(mg) cancel with milligrams, leaving mL.
0.5×1000×5250=2500250=10 mL2500.5×1000×5=2502500
=10 mL
,Medication Safety Note: Always double-check that the final
answer is a reasonable volume for the patient's age and route
of administration. A 10 mL oral dose is a standard and safe
volume.
Question 2
Topic: Oral Dosage Calculations
Difficulty: Easy
The nurse is preparing to administer hydroxyzine pamoate 75
mg orally to an adult patient. The pharmacy provides scored
tablets labeled "50 mg." How many tablets should the nurse
administer?
A. ½ tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 1 ½ tablets
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer: C. 1 ½ tablets
Rationale:
Step 1: Identify the known and desired quantities. The order is
for 75 mg, and the available concentration is 50 mg/tablet.
Step 2:
75 mg1×1 tablet50 mg= tablets175 mg×50 mg1 tablet= tablets
Step 3: Cancel the mg units.
, 7550=1.5 tablets5075=1.5 tablets
Medication Safety Note: Since the tablet is scored, it can be
safely broken to administer 1.5 tablets. Confirm the patient's
identity and order before administering.
Question 3
Topic: Injectable Medications
Difficulty: Easy
A patient is prescribed heparin 5,000 units subcutaneously. The
vial is labeled "Heparin Sodium 10,000 units/mL." How many
mL will the nurse draw up for the injection?
A. 0.25 mL
B. 0.5 mL
C. 1 mL
D. 2 mL
Correct Answer: B. 0.5 mL
Rationale:
Step 1: Set up the equation. Ordered dose is 5,000 units,
available concentration is 10,000 units per 1 mL.
Step 2:
5000 units1×1 mL10000 units= mL15000 units×10000 units1 mL
= mL
EASY
SOLVING PROBLEMS USING
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)GLORIA PEARL
CRAIG
TEST BANK
,Question 1
Topic: Dimensional Analysis Fundamentals
Difficulty: Easy
The healthcare provider orders amoxicillin 0.5 g by mouth twice
daily for a pediatric patient. The medication is available as a
liquid suspension with a concentration of 250 mg per 5 mL.
How many mL of the suspension should the nurse administer
per dose?
A. 2.5 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 20 mL
Correct Answer: C. 10 mL
Rationale:
Step 1: Set up the problem using dimensional analysis. The goal
is to find the volume (mL) to administer for the ordered dose.
Step 2:
0.5 g1×1000 mg1 g×5 mL250 mg= mL/dose10.5 g×1 g1000 mg
×250 mg5 mL= mL/dose
Step 3: Cancel units. Grams (g) cancel with grams, milligrams
(mg) cancel with milligrams, leaving mL.
0.5×1000×5250=2500250=10 mL2500.5×1000×5=2502500
=10 mL
,Medication Safety Note: Always double-check that the final
answer is a reasonable volume for the patient's age and route
of administration. A 10 mL oral dose is a standard and safe
volume.
Question 2
Topic: Oral Dosage Calculations
Difficulty: Easy
The nurse is preparing to administer hydroxyzine pamoate 75
mg orally to an adult patient. The pharmacy provides scored
tablets labeled "50 mg." How many tablets should the nurse
administer?
A. ½ tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 1 ½ tablets
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer: C. 1 ½ tablets
Rationale:
Step 1: Identify the known and desired quantities. The order is
for 75 mg, and the available concentration is 50 mg/tablet.
Step 2:
75 mg1×1 tablet50 mg= tablets175 mg×50 mg1 tablet= tablets
Step 3: Cancel the mg units.
, 7550=1.5 tablets5075=1.5 tablets
Medication Safety Note: Since the tablet is scored, it can be
safely broken to administer 1.5 tablets. Confirm the patient's
identity and order before administering.
Question 3
Topic: Injectable Medications
Difficulty: Easy
A patient is prescribed heparin 5,000 units subcutaneously. The
vial is labeled "Heparin Sodium 10,000 units/mL." How many
mL will the nurse draw up for the injection?
A. 0.25 mL
B. 0.5 mL
C. 1 mL
D. 2 mL
Correct Answer: B. 0.5 mL
Rationale:
Step 1: Set up the equation. Ordered dose is 5,000 units,
available concentration is 10,000 units per 1 mL.
Step 2:
5000 units1×1 mL10000 units= mL15000 units×10000 units1 mL
= mL
