DOSAGE CALCULATIONS MADE
EASY
SOLVING PROBLEMS USING
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)GLORIA PEARL
CRAIG
TEST BANK
,Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer 1,000 mL of 0.9% Normal
Saline to an adult patient with dehydration. The IV infusion set
delivers 15 gtt/mL. The healthcare provider prescribes the
infusion to run over 8 hours. The nurse should set the manual
IV infusion to deliver how many drops per minute (gtt/min)?
A. 15 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min
C. 42 gtt/min
D. 125 gtt/min
Correct Answer: B. 31 gtt/min
Rationale:
Step 1: Set up the dimensional analysis equation. The goal is to
find gtt/min.
Step 2: (1000 mL / 8 hr) x (15 gtt / 1 mL) x (1 hr / 60 min) =
gtt/min
Step 3: Multiply and divide: (1000 x 15) / (8 x 60) =
= 31.25. Round to the nearest whole number, which is 31
gtt/min.
Medication Safety Note: Always round IV flow rates for manual
gravity infusions to the nearest whole drop per minute, as it is
,impossible to count a fraction of a drop. Double-check your
math to prevent fluid overload or under-hydration.
Question 2
The healthcare provider prescribes 250 mg of amoxicillin oral
suspension. The medication is available as a suspension labeled
125 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer
per dose?
A. 2.5 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 50 mL
Correct Answer: C. 10 mL
Rationale:
Step 1: The desired dose is 250 mg. The concentration on hand
is 125 mg per 5 mL.
Step 2: Set up the equation: (5 mL / 125 mg) x 250 mg = mL.
Step 3: Solve: (5 x 250) / 125 = = 10 mL.
Medication Safety Note: Always use an oral syringe to measure
liquid medications for accuracy and to prevent dosing errors.
Never use a household teaspoon, as volumes can vary
significantly.
, Question 3
A patient is prescribed 0.4 mg of digoxin. The available tablets
are 0.2 mg per tablet. How many tablets should the nurse
administer?
A. 0.5 tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 1.5 tablets
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer: D. 2 tablets
Rationale:
Step 1: The order is for 0.4 mg. The supply is 0.2 mg per tablet.
Step 2: Equation: (1 tablet / 0.2 mg) x 0.4 mg = tablets.
Step 3: Solve: (1 x 0.4) / 0.2 = 0..2 = 2 tablets.
Medication Safety Note: Digoxin is a high-alert medication.
Always verify the dose and the patient's apical pulse rate for a
full minute before administration.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to administer 650 mg of acetaminophen to
a patient. The available liquid concentration is 160 mg/5 mL.
How many milliliters will the nurse administer?
EASY
SOLVING PROBLEMS USING
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)GLORIA PEARL
CRAIG
TEST BANK
,Question 1
A nurse is preparing to administer 1,000 mL of 0.9% Normal
Saline to an adult patient with dehydration. The IV infusion set
delivers 15 gtt/mL. The healthcare provider prescribes the
infusion to run over 8 hours. The nurse should set the manual
IV infusion to deliver how many drops per minute (gtt/min)?
A. 15 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min
C. 42 gtt/min
D. 125 gtt/min
Correct Answer: B. 31 gtt/min
Rationale:
Step 1: Set up the dimensional analysis equation. The goal is to
find gtt/min.
Step 2: (1000 mL / 8 hr) x (15 gtt / 1 mL) x (1 hr / 60 min) =
gtt/min
Step 3: Multiply and divide: (1000 x 15) / (8 x 60) =
= 31.25. Round to the nearest whole number, which is 31
gtt/min.
Medication Safety Note: Always round IV flow rates for manual
gravity infusions to the nearest whole drop per minute, as it is
,impossible to count a fraction of a drop. Double-check your
math to prevent fluid overload or under-hydration.
Question 2
The healthcare provider prescribes 250 mg of amoxicillin oral
suspension. The medication is available as a suspension labeled
125 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer
per dose?
A. 2.5 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 50 mL
Correct Answer: C. 10 mL
Rationale:
Step 1: The desired dose is 250 mg. The concentration on hand
is 125 mg per 5 mL.
Step 2: Set up the equation: (5 mL / 125 mg) x 250 mg = mL.
Step 3: Solve: (5 x 250) / 125 = = 10 mL.
Medication Safety Note: Always use an oral syringe to measure
liquid medications for accuracy and to prevent dosing errors.
Never use a household teaspoon, as volumes can vary
significantly.
, Question 3
A patient is prescribed 0.4 mg of digoxin. The available tablets
are 0.2 mg per tablet. How many tablets should the nurse
administer?
A. 0.5 tablet
B. 1 tablet
C. 1.5 tablets
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer: D. 2 tablets
Rationale:
Step 1: The order is for 0.4 mg. The supply is 0.2 mg per tablet.
Step 2: Equation: (1 tablet / 0.2 mg) x 0.4 mg = tablets.
Step 3: Solve: (1 x 0.4) / 0.2 = 0..2 = 2 tablets.
Medication Safety Note: Digoxin is a high-alert medication.
Always verify the dose and the patient's apical pulse rate for a
full minute before administration.
Question 4
A nurse is preparing to administer 650 mg of acetaminophen to
a patient. The available liquid concentration is 160 mg/5 mL.
How many milliliters will the nurse administer?
