ATI DOSAGE CALCULATIONS RN NURSING CARE OF CHILDREN 3.1 – QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS |
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
Core Domains
Pediatric Medication Administration
Dosage Calculation Based on Weight and Body Surface Area (BSA)
IV Infusion Rate and Volume Calculations
Safe Dosage Range Verification
Medication Reconciliation and Prescription Analysis
Pediatric Nutritional and Fluid Balance
Ethical and Legal Principles in Pediatric Nursing
Growth and Development Considerations in Pharmacology
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is meticulously designed to assess the essential competencies of a registered
nurse in the precise and safe administration of medications to the pediatric population. The assessment
rigorously evaluates foundational pharmacological theory, advanced dosage calculation skills, and the critical
thinking necessary for clinical decision-making in a pediatric setting. Presented in a multiple-choice and
scenario-based format, this examination emphasizes the practical application of knowledge, focusing on real-
world situations that require sound clinical judgment, adherence to regulatory standards, and a deep
commitment to patient safety. Success on this exam reflects a mastery of the core principles required to provide
optimal and safe nursing care to children across the developmental spectrum.
,Section One: Questions 1 - 100
1. A nurse is preparing to administer 0.9% sodium chloride 250 mL IV to infuse over 2 hours. The drop
factor of the manual IV tubing is 15 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the manual IV infusion to deliver how
many gtt/min? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number)
A. 21 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min
C. 42 gtt/min
D. 15 gtt/min
🟢 B. 31 gtt/min
🔴 Explanation: To calculate the flow rate in gtt/min, use the formula: (Volume in mL / Time in minutes) x
Drop factor = (250 mL / 120 min) x 15 gtt/mL = 31.25 gtt/min, which rounds to 31 gtt/min.
2. A nurse is caring for an infant who weighs 11 lb. The provider orders ampicillin 50 mg/kg/day IV divided
in four equal doses. The medication is available in a concentration of 100 mg/mL. How many mL should
the nurse administer per dose?
A. 0.625 mL
B. 1.25 mL
C. 2.5 mL
D. 0.312 mL
🟢 A. 0.625 mL
🔴 Explanation: First, convert the infant's weight to kg: 11 lb / 2.2 = 5 kg. The total daily dose is 50
mg/kg/day x 5 kg = 250 mg/day. Divided into 4 doses, each dose is 250 mg / 4 = 62.5 mg/dose. Using the
,concentration 100 mg/mL, the volume per dose is 62.5 mg / 100 mg/mL = 0.625 mL.
3. A nurse is planning care for a school-age child who has a new prescription for methylphenidate. Which
of the following should the nurse include in the teaching for the child's parents?
A. Administer the medication with a glass of orange juice.
B. Monitor the child for signs of weight loss.
C. Expect the child to experience immediate drowsiness.
D. The medication should be given at bedtime.
🟢 B. Monitor the child for signs of weight loss.
🔴 Explanation: Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat ADHD. A common
adverse effect is appetite suppression, which can lead to weight loss. Parents should monitor the child's
weight and nutritional intake. It is not recommended to administer it with acidic juices (which can decrease
absorption), it typically causes insomnia, and it is a stimulant, not a sedative, so it is not given at bedtime.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer cefazolin 500 mg IM to a client. Available is cefazolin 1 g vial. The
package insert states to add 2.5 mL of sterile water for injection to yield a concentration of 330 mg/mL.
How many mL should the nurse administer?
A. 1.5 mL
B. 3.0 mL
C. 0.66 mL
D. 2.0 mL
🟢 A. 1.5 mL
🔴 Explanation: The desired dose is 500 mg. The available concentration is 330 mg/mL. To find the volume,
divide the desired dose by the concentration: 500 mg / 330 mg/mL = 1.515 mL, which rounds to 1.5 mL.
, 5. A nurse is assessing a toddler who has recently been prescribed digoxin. Which of the following
findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of digoxin toxicity?
A. Tachycardia
B. Vomiting
C. Polyuria
D. Hyperactivity
🟢 B. Vomiting
🔴 Explanation: Early signs of digoxin toxicity in children include gastrointestinal symptoms such as anorexia,
nausea, and vomiting. Cardiac dysrhythmias (often bradycardia, not tachycardia) are also a concern, but GI
symptoms are frequently the first indicator.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer a continuous IV infusion of dopamine at 5 mcg/kg/min to a child
who weighs 44 lb. The medication is available as dopamine 400 mg in 250 mL of D5W. The nurse should
set the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth.)
A. 3.8 mL/hr
B. 7.5 mL/hr
C. 1.9 mL/hr
D. 15.0 mL/hr
🟢 A. 3.8 mL/hr
🔴 Explanation: First, convert weight to kg: 44 lb / 2.2 = 20 kg. Calculate the dose in mcg/min: 5 mcg/kg/min
x 20 kg = 100 mcg/min. Convert to mcg/hr: 100 mcg/min x 60 min/hr = 6000 mcg/hr. Convert the available
concentration to mcg/mL: 400 mg = 400,000 mcg in 250 mL, so 400,000 mcg / 250 mL = 1600 mcg/mL.
Finally, calculate the rate: 6000 mcg/hr / 1600 mcg/mL = 3.75 mL/hr, which rounds to 3.8 mL/hr.
VERIFIED AND WELL DETAILED ANSWERS | PLUS RATIONALES | GUARANTEED PASS | LATEST EXAM UPDATE
Core Domains
Pediatric Medication Administration
Dosage Calculation Based on Weight and Body Surface Area (BSA)
IV Infusion Rate and Volume Calculations
Safe Dosage Range Verification
Medication Reconciliation and Prescription Analysis
Pediatric Nutritional and Fluid Balance
Ethical and Legal Principles in Pediatric Nursing
Growth and Development Considerations in Pharmacology
Introduction
This comprehensive examination is meticulously designed to assess the essential competencies of a registered
nurse in the precise and safe administration of medications to the pediatric population. The assessment
rigorously evaluates foundational pharmacological theory, advanced dosage calculation skills, and the critical
thinking necessary for clinical decision-making in a pediatric setting. Presented in a multiple-choice and
scenario-based format, this examination emphasizes the practical application of knowledge, focusing on real-
world situations that require sound clinical judgment, adherence to regulatory standards, and a deep
commitment to patient safety. Success on this exam reflects a mastery of the core principles required to provide
optimal and safe nursing care to children across the developmental spectrum.
,Section One: Questions 1 - 100
1. A nurse is preparing to administer 0.9% sodium chloride 250 mL IV to infuse over 2 hours. The drop
factor of the manual IV tubing is 15 gtt/mL. The nurse should set the manual IV infusion to deliver how
many gtt/min? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number)
A. 21 gtt/min
B. 31 gtt/min
C. 42 gtt/min
D. 15 gtt/min
🟢 B. 31 gtt/min
🔴 Explanation: To calculate the flow rate in gtt/min, use the formula: (Volume in mL / Time in minutes) x
Drop factor = (250 mL / 120 min) x 15 gtt/mL = 31.25 gtt/min, which rounds to 31 gtt/min.
2. A nurse is caring for an infant who weighs 11 lb. The provider orders ampicillin 50 mg/kg/day IV divided
in four equal doses. The medication is available in a concentration of 100 mg/mL. How many mL should
the nurse administer per dose?
A. 0.625 mL
B. 1.25 mL
C. 2.5 mL
D. 0.312 mL
🟢 A. 0.625 mL
🔴 Explanation: First, convert the infant's weight to kg: 11 lb / 2.2 = 5 kg. The total daily dose is 50
mg/kg/day x 5 kg = 250 mg/day. Divided into 4 doses, each dose is 250 mg / 4 = 62.5 mg/dose. Using the
,concentration 100 mg/mL, the volume per dose is 62.5 mg / 100 mg/mL = 0.625 mL.
3. A nurse is planning care for a school-age child who has a new prescription for methylphenidate. Which
of the following should the nurse include in the teaching for the child's parents?
A. Administer the medication with a glass of orange juice.
B. Monitor the child for signs of weight loss.
C. Expect the child to experience immediate drowsiness.
D. The medication should be given at bedtime.
🟢 B. Monitor the child for signs of weight loss.
🔴 Explanation: Methylphenidate is a central nervous system stimulant used to treat ADHD. A common
adverse effect is appetite suppression, which can lead to weight loss. Parents should monitor the child's
weight and nutritional intake. It is not recommended to administer it with acidic juices (which can decrease
absorption), it typically causes insomnia, and it is a stimulant, not a sedative, so it is not given at bedtime.
4. A nurse is preparing to administer cefazolin 500 mg IM to a client. Available is cefazolin 1 g vial. The
package insert states to add 2.5 mL of sterile water for injection to yield a concentration of 330 mg/mL.
How many mL should the nurse administer?
A. 1.5 mL
B. 3.0 mL
C. 0.66 mL
D. 2.0 mL
🟢 A. 1.5 mL
🔴 Explanation: The desired dose is 500 mg. The available concentration is 330 mg/mL. To find the volume,
divide the desired dose by the concentration: 500 mg / 330 mg/mL = 1.515 mL, which rounds to 1.5 mL.
, 5. A nurse is assessing a toddler who has recently been prescribed digoxin. Which of the following
findings should the nurse identify as a manifestation of digoxin toxicity?
A. Tachycardia
B. Vomiting
C. Polyuria
D. Hyperactivity
🟢 B. Vomiting
🔴 Explanation: Early signs of digoxin toxicity in children include gastrointestinal symptoms such as anorexia,
nausea, and vomiting. Cardiac dysrhythmias (often bradycardia, not tachycardia) are also a concern, but GI
symptoms are frequently the first indicator.
6. A nurse is preparing to administer a continuous IV infusion of dopamine at 5 mcg/kg/min to a child
who weighs 44 lb. The medication is available as dopamine 400 mg in 250 mL of D5W. The nurse should
set the infusion pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth.)
A. 3.8 mL/hr
B. 7.5 mL/hr
C. 1.9 mL/hr
D. 15.0 mL/hr
🟢 A. 3.8 mL/hr
🔴 Explanation: First, convert weight to kg: 44 lb / 2.2 = 20 kg. Calculate the dose in mcg/min: 5 mcg/kg/min
x 20 kg = 100 mcg/min. Convert to mcg/hr: 100 mcg/min x 60 min/hr = 6000 mcg/hr. Convert the available
concentration to mcg/mL: 400 mg = 400,000 mcg in 250 mL, so 400,000 mcg / 250 mL = 1600 mcg/mL.
Finally, calculate the rate: 6000 mcg/hr / 1600 mcg/mL = 3.75 mL/hr, which rounds to 3.8 mL/hr.
