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 provider orders acetaminophen 650 mg PO. Tablets available
are 325 mg/tablet. How many tablets should the nurse
administer?
A. 1 tablet
B. 1.5 tablets
C. 2 tablets
D. 3 tablets
Correct Answer: C. 2 tablets
Rationale:
Step 1: Set up dimensional analysis.
[
650\ \text{mg} \times \frac{1\ \text{tablet}}{325\ \text{mg}}
]
Step 2: Cancel mg.
[
=\frac{650}{325}=2\ \text{tablets}
]
Step 3: Administer 2 tablets.
Medication Safety Note: Always compare the prescribed dose
with the available strength before administering oral
medications.

,Question 2 (Easy)
The provider orders 500 mg amoxicillin PO. The suspension
available contains 250 mg per 5 mL. How many milliliters should
the nurse administer?
A. 5 mL
B. 8 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 15 mL
Correct Answer: C. 10 mL
Rationale:
Step 1:
[
500\ \text{mg}\times\frac{5\ \text{mL}}{250\ \text{mg}}
]
Step 2:
[
=\frac{2500}{250}=10\ \text{mL}
]
Step 3: Administer 10 mL.

, Medication Safety Note: Shake oral suspensions well before
measuring the dose.


Question 3 (Easy)
Convert 2.5 grams to milligrams.
A. 25 mg
B. 250 mg
C. 2,500 mg
D. 25,000 mg
Correct Answer: C. 2,500 mg
Rationale:
Step 1:
[
2.5\ \text{g}\times\frac{1000\ \text{mg}}{1\ \text{g}}
]
Step 2:
[
=2500\ \text{mg}
]
Medication Safety Note: Errors involving grams and milligrams
can result in 1,000-fold dosing mistakes.