Solving Problems Using Dimensional

DOSAGE CALCULATIONS MADE
EASY
SOLVING PROBLEMS USING
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS
8TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)GLORIA PEARL
CRAIG




TEST BANK

,Question 1 (Easy)
A nurse must administer acetaminophen 650 mg PO. The
tablets available are 325 mg each. How many tablets should the
nurse give?
A. 1 tablet
B. 1.5 tablets
C. 2 tablets
D. 3 tablets
Correct Answer: C. 2 tablets
Rationale:
Step 1: Identify the ordered dose and available strength.
Ordered = 650 mg; Available = 325 mg/tablet.
Step 2: Set up dimensional analysis.
[
650\ \text{mg} \times \frac{1\ \text{tablet}}{325\ \text{mg}} =
2\ \text{tablets}
]
Step 3: Administer 2 tablets.
Medication Safety Note:
Always verify that scored tablets may be split if a fractional
amount is required.

,Question 2 (Easy)
Convert 1.5 g to milligrams.
A. 15 mg
B. 150 mg
C. 1,500 mg
D. 15,000 mg
Correct Answer: C. 1,500 mg
Rationale:
Step 1: Recall the conversion factor.
[
1\ \text{g} = 1000\ \text{mg}
]
Step 2: Dimensional analysis.
[
1.5\ \text{g} \times \frac{1000\ \text{mg}}{1\ \text{g}} = 1500\
\text{mg}
]
Step 3: Final answer = 1,500 mg.
Medication Safety Note:
Misplacing a decimal point in metric conversions can result in
tenfold medication errors.

, Question 3 (Easy)
An order reads: amoxicillin 500 mg PO. The suspension available
is 250 mg per 5 mL. How many milliliters should the nurse
administer?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 15 mL
D. 20 mL
Correct Answer: B. 10 mL
Rationale:
Step 1: Identify dose and concentration.
250 mg = 5 mL.
Step 2: Dimensional analysis.
[
500\ \text{mg} \times \frac{5\ \text{mL}}{250\ \text{mg}} = 10\
\text{mL}
]
Step 3: Administer 10 mL.
Medication Safety Note:
Use an oral syringe for accurate measurement rather than a
household spoon.