DOSAGE CALCULATIONS MADE
EASY
SOLVING PROBLEMS USING
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)GLORIA PEARL
CRAIG
TEST BANK
,Question 1
Topic: Oral Dosage Calculations
The healthcare provider orders ondansetron 8 mg orally twice
daily for a patient experiencing postoperative nausea. The
available medication is ondansetron oral solution 4 mg/5 mL.
How many milliliters will the nurse administer per dose?
A. 2.5 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 15 mL
Correct Answer: C. 10 mL
Rationale:
Step 1: Identify the ordered dose and available concentration.
• Ordered: 8 mg
• Available: 4 mg/5 mL
Step 2: Set up dimensional analysis to solve for mL per dose.
• Start with the ordered dose: 8 mg
• Multiply by the conversion factor: 5 mL/4 mg
• 8 mg × 5 mL/4 mg = 40/4 = 10 mL
,Step 3: The nurse will administer 10 mL of ondansetron oral
solution per dose.
Medication Safety Note: Always verify that the oral solution is
the correct formulation for the patient's route of
administration. Double-check that 8 mg is the prescribed dose
and not a total daily dose. Use an oral syringe for accurate
measurement.
Question 2
Topic: Tablet Calculations
The healthcare provider orders metoprolol tartrate 25 mg orally
daily for a patient with hypertension. The pharmacy supplies
metoprolol tartrate 50 mg tablets. How many tablets will the
nurse administer?
A. 0.25 tablet
B. 0.5 tablet
C. 1 tablet
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer: B. 0.5 tablet
Rationale:
Step 1: Identify the ordered dose and available tablet strength.
• Ordered: 25 mg
, • Available: 50 mg/tablet
Step 2: Set up dimensional analysis.
• Start with the ordered dose: 25 mg
• Multiply by the conversion factor: 1 tablet/50 mg
• 25 mg × 1 tablet/50 mg = 25/50 = 0.5 tablet
Step 3: The nurse will administer 0.5 tablet (one-half tablet) of
metoprolol tartrate.
Medication Safety Note: When administering partial tablets,
verify the tablet is scored and can be safely split. Not all tablets
are designed to be divided. Check for a score line indicating the
tablet can be split accurately. Document the administration of a
partial tablet appropriately.
Question 3
Topic: Liquid Medications
The healthcare provider prescribes amoxicillin 500 mg orally
every 12 hours for a pediatric patient with otitis media. The
available medication is amoxicillin oral suspension 250 mg/5
mL. How many milliliters will the nurse administer per dose?
A. 5 mL
B. 7.5 mL
EASY
SOLVING PROBLEMS USING
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)GLORIA PEARL
CRAIG
TEST BANK
,Question 1
Topic: Oral Dosage Calculations
The healthcare provider orders ondansetron 8 mg orally twice
daily for a patient experiencing postoperative nausea. The
available medication is ondansetron oral solution 4 mg/5 mL.
How many milliliters will the nurse administer per dose?
A. 2.5 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 15 mL
Correct Answer: C. 10 mL
Rationale:
Step 1: Identify the ordered dose and available concentration.
• Ordered: 8 mg
• Available: 4 mg/5 mL
Step 2: Set up dimensional analysis to solve for mL per dose.
• Start with the ordered dose: 8 mg
• Multiply by the conversion factor: 5 mL/4 mg
• 8 mg × 5 mL/4 mg = 40/4 = 10 mL
,Step 3: The nurse will administer 10 mL of ondansetron oral
solution per dose.
Medication Safety Note: Always verify that the oral solution is
the correct formulation for the patient's route of
administration. Double-check that 8 mg is the prescribed dose
and not a total daily dose. Use an oral syringe for accurate
measurement.
Question 2
Topic: Tablet Calculations
The healthcare provider orders metoprolol tartrate 25 mg orally
daily for a patient with hypertension. The pharmacy supplies
metoprolol tartrate 50 mg tablets. How many tablets will the
nurse administer?
A. 0.25 tablet
B. 0.5 tablet
C. 1 tablet
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer: B. 0.5 tablet
Rationale:
Step 1: Identify the ordered dose and available tablet strength.
• Ordered: 25 mg
, • Available: 50 mg/tablet
Step 2: Set up dimensional analysis.
• Start with the ordered dose: 25 mg
• Multiply by the conversion factor: 1 tablet/50 mg
• 25 mg × 1 tablet/50 mg = 25/50 = 0.5 tablet
Step 3: The nurse will administer 0.5 tablet (one-half tablet) of
metoprolol tartrate.
Medication Safety Note: When administering partial tablets,
verify the tablet is scored and can be safely split. Not all tablets
are designed to be divided. Check for a score line indicating the
tablet can be split accurately. Document the administration of a
partial tablet appropriately.
Question 3
Topic: Liquid Medications
The healthcare provider prescribes amoxicillin 500 mg orally
every 12 hours for a pediatric patient with otitis media. The
available medication is amoxicillin oral suspension 250 mg/5
mL. How many milliliters will the nurse administer per dose?
A. 5 mL
B. 7.5 mL
