CALCULATION EXAM 2026/2027 |
Nightingale College | Complete Study Guide
| Practice Questions, Verified Answers &
Detailed Rationales
BSN 215 HESI RN SPECIALTY DOSAGE CALCULATION EXAM 2026/2027
Nightingale College | Complete Study Guide
DOCUMENT OVERVIEW
• Comprehensive Practice Resource: 200 verified dosage calculation questions
with detailed rationales designed to strengthen clinical calculation skills and boost
HESI exam confidence for RN licensure candidates.
• Active Learning Strategy: Study each question, attempt to solve independently,
then review the detailed rationale to understand the calculation method and
concept application in real-world nursing scenarios.
SECTION 1: BASIC UNIT CONVERSIONS AND METRIC SYSTEM
Question 1: Convert 1.5 grams to milligrams.
A) 150 mg
B) 1,500 mg
C) 0.0015 mg
D) 15 mg
E) 15,000 mg
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 1,500 mg
,RATIONALE: To convert grams to milligrams, multiply by 1,000 (1 gram = 1,000 mg).
Therefore, 1.5 grams × 1,000 = 1,500 mg. This fundamental conversion is essential
for all dosage calculations.
Question 2: How many milliliters are in 2 liters?
A) 20 mL
B) 200 mL
C) 2,000 mL
D) 0.2 mL
E) 20,000 mL
CORRECT ANSWER: C) 2,000 mL
RATIONALE: The conversion factor is 1 liter = 1,000 mL. Therefore, 2 liters × 1,000 =
2,000 mL. Understanding metric volume conversions is crucial for IV therapy and
medication administration.
Question 3: Convert 500 micrograms to milligrams.
A) 0.005 mg
B) 0.05 mg
C) 0.5 mg
D) 5 mg
E) 50 mg
CORRECT ANSWER: C) 0.5 mg
RATIONALE: To convert micrograms (mcg) to milligrams (mg), divide by 1,000 (1 mg
= 1,000 mcg). Therefore, 500 mcg ÷ 1,000 = 0.5 mg. This is critical for medications
dosed in micrograms like digoxin and fentanyl.
,Question 4: Express 0.25 grams in milligrams.
A) 2.5 mg
B) 25 mg
C) 250 mg
D) 2,500 mg
E) 0.0025 mg
CORRECT ANSWER: C) 250 mg
RATIONALE: Multiply grams by 1,000 to convert to milligrams: 0.25 × 1,000 = 250
mg. This conversion frequency is essential for antibiotic dosing and common oral
medications.
Question 5: Convert 1 kilogram to grams.
A) 0.001 g
B) 0.1 g
C) 100 g
D) 1,000 g
E) 10,000 g
CORRECT ANSWER: D) 1,000 g
RATIONALE: 1 kilogram = 1,000 grams. This conversion is fundamental for pediatric
weight-based dosing calculations where weights are often provided in kilograms.
Question 6: How many micrograms are in 2 milligrams?
A) 0.002 mcg
B) 0.02 mcg
C) 200 mcg
, D) 2,000 mcg
E) 20,000 mcg
CORRECT ANSWER: D) 2,000 mcg
RATIONALE: Multiply milligrams by 1,000 to convert to micrograms (1 mg = 1,000
mcg). Therefore, 2 mg × 1,000 = 2,000 mcg. This conversion is important for potent
medications administered in small doses.
Question 7: Convert 3.5 kilograms to grams.
A) 0.35 g
B) 3.5 g
C) 35 g
D) 350 g
E) 3,500 g
CORRECT ANSWER: E) 3,500 g
RATIONALE: Multiply kilograms by 1,000: 3.5 kg × 1,000 = 3,500 g. This conversion
is particularly useful in neonatal and pediatric nursing when calculating weight-
based medication doses.
Question 8: How many liters are in 250 milliliters?
A) 0.025 L
B) 0.25 L
C) 2.5 L
D) 25 L
E) 250 L
CORRECT ANSWER: B) 0.25 L