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 client is prescribed amoxicillin 500 mg orally. The pharmacy
supplies 250 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse
administer?
A. 1 capsule
B. 2 capsules
C. 3 capsules
D. 4 capsules
Correct Answer: B. 2 capsules
Rationale:
Step 1: Set up dimensional analysis.
[
500\ \text{mg} \times \frac{1\ \text{capsule}}{250\ \text{mg}}
]
Step 2: Cancel mg.
[
=\frac{500}{250}=2\ \text{capsules}
]
Step 3: Administer 2 capsules.
Medication Safety Note: Always verify the strength per capsule
before administering multiple capsules.

,Question 2 (Easy)
A provider prescribes acetaminophen 650 mg orally. The
medication available is 325 mg tablets. How many tablets
should the nurse administer?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 2.5 tablets
D. 3 tablets
Correct Answer: B. 2 tablets
Rationale:
Step 1:
[
650\ \text{mg}\times\frac{1\ \text{tablet}}{325\ \text{mg}}
]
Step 2:
[
=\frac{650}{325}=2
]
Step 3: Administer 2 tablets.
Medication Safety Note: Confirm that tablets may be split if a
partial tablet is ever required.

, Question 3 (Easy)
A medication order is for 15 mL of cough syrup. The household
measuring cup is marked in teaspoons. How many teaspoons
should the nurse administer?
A. 1 tsp
B. 2 tsp
C. 3 tsp
D. 4 tsp
Correct Answer: C. 3 tsp
Rationale:
Step 1:
Use
[
5\ \text{mL}=1\ \text{tsp}
]
Step 2:
[
15\ \text{mL}\times\frac{1\ \text{tsp}}{5\ \text{mL}}
=3\ \text{tsp}
]