DOSAGE CALCULATIONS MADE
EASY
SOLVING PROBLEMS USING
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)GLORIA PEARL
CRAIG
TEST BANK
,Question 1 (Easy)
Topic: Basic Arithmetic & Unit Conversions
The nurse is preparing to administer furosemide 40 mg IV push.
The available medication is furosemide 10 mg/mL. How many
mL will the nurse administer?
A. 0.25 mL
B. 2 mL
C. 4 mL
D. 10 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• Step 1: Identify the question. How many mL are needed to
deliver 40 mg of furosemide?
• Step 2: Dimensional Analysis Setup.
mL to administer=40 mg (ordered)1×1 mL (available)10 mg (avai
lable)mL to administer=140 mg (ordered)
×10 mg (available)1 mL (available)
• Step 3: Calculate.
mL=40×110=4 mLmL=1040×1=4 mL
Medication Safety Note: Always double-check the
concentration of the available medication, especially for high-
,alert medications like furosemide. Ensure the correct route (IV
push in this case) is appropriate for the ordered dose.
Question 2 (Easy)
Topic: Oral Dosage Calculations (Tablets)
The healthcare provider orders amoxicillin 1 g PO BID. The
pharmacy dispenses amoxicillin 500 mg tablets. How many
tablets will the nurse administer per dose?
A. 0.5 tablets
B. 1 tablet
C. 2 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• Step 1: Identify the question. How many tablets are
needed for a single 1 g dose?
• Step 2: Convert to common units. The order is in grams (g)
and the tablet is in milligrams (mg). The conversion factor
is 1 g = 1000 mg. Therefore, 1 g = 1000 mg.
• Step 3: Dimensional Analysis Setup.
, Tablets per dose=1000 mg (ordered)1×1 tablet500 mg (available
)=2 tabletsTablets per dose=11000 mg (ordered)
×500 mg (available)1 tablet=2 tablets
Medication Safety Note: Always confirm that the total daily
dose is within safe parameters. For amoxicillin, the typical adult
dose is 250 mg to 500 mg every 8 hours, or 500 mg to 875 mg
every 12 hours, so 1 g BID is a high but acceptable dose for
some infections. Always check the order against the patient's
weight and renal function.
Question 3 (Easy)
Topic: Liquid Medications
The prescriber orders codeine 30 mg PO every 4 hours PRN for
cough. The medication is available as codeine 15 mg/5 mL. How
many mL will the nurse administer?
A. 2.5 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 7.5 mL
D. 10 mL
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
EASY
SOLVING PROBLEMS USING
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)GLORIA PEARL
CRAIG
TEST BANK
,Question 1 (Easy)
Topic: Basic Arithmetic & Unit Conversions
The nurse is preparing to administer furosemide 40 mg IV push.
The available medication is furosemide 10 mg/mL. How many
mL will the nurse administer?
A. 0.25 mL
B. 2 mL
C. 4 mL
D. 10 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• Step 1: Identify the question. How many mL are needed to
deliver 40 mg of furosemide?
• Step 2: Dimensional Analysis Setup.
mL to administer=40 mg (ordered)1×1 mL (available)10 mg (avai
lable)mL to administer=140 mg (ordered)
×10 mg (available)1 mL (available)
• Step 3: Calculate.
mL=40×110=4 mLmL=1040×1=4 mL
Medication Safety Note: Always double-check the
concentration of the available medication, especially for high-
,alert medications like furosemide. Ensure the correct route (IV
push in this case) is appropriate for the ordered dose.
Question 2 (Easy)
Topic: Oral Dosage Calculations (Tablets)
The healthcare provider orders amoxicillin 1 g PO BID. The
pharmacy dispenses amoxicillin 500 mg tablets. How many
tablets will the nurse administer per dose?
A. 0.5 tablets
B. 1 tablet
C. 2 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
• Step 1: Identify the question. How many tablets are
needed for a single 1 g dose?
• Step 2: Convert to common units. The order is in grams (g)
and the tablet is in milligrams (mg). The conversion factor
is 1 g = 1000 mg. Therefore, 1 g = 1000 mg.
• Step 3: Dimensional Analysis Setup.
, Tablets per dose=1000 mg (ordered)1×1 tablet500 mg (available
)=2 tabletsTablets per dose=11000 mg (ordered)
×500 mg (available)1 tablet=2 tablets
Medication Safety Note: Always confirm that the total daily
dose is within safe parameters. For amoxicillin, the typical adult
dose is 250 mg to 500 mg every 8 hours, or 500 mg to 875 mg
every 12 hours, so 1 g BID is a high but acceptable dose for
some infections. Always check the order against the patient's
weight and renal function.
Question 3 (Easy)
Topic: Liquid Medications
The prescriber orders codeine 30 mg PO every 4 hours PRN for
cough. The medication is available as codeine 15 mg/5 mL. How
many mL will the nurse administer?
A. 2.5 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 7.5 mL
D. 10 mL
Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
