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BSN 215 HESI Dosage Calculation Exam
Exam Questions & Correct Answers with Detailed
Rationales | 2026 Latest Upgrade
1. A client with cardiogenic shock weighs 220 lb and is receiving dopamine at 3 mcg/kg/minute. The solution is
dopamine 400 mg in 250 mL D5W. What rate in mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump?
A) 8.5 mL/hr
B) 11.3 mL/hr
C) 15.7 mL/hr
D) 22.6 mL/hr
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Convert 220 lb to kg (220 ÷ 2.2 = 100 kg). Calculate 3 mcg/kg/min × 100 kg = 300 mcg/min. Convert to
mcg/hr: 300 × 60 = 18,000 mcg/hr = 18 mg/hr. Concentration is 400 mg/250 mL = 1.6 mg/mL. Rate = 18 ÷ 1.6 =
11.25, rounded to 11.3 mL/hr.
2. The physician orders acetaminophen 1000 mg PO. The medication is available as 500 mg tablets. How many
tablets should the nurse administer?
A) 1 tablet
B) 2 tablets
C) 3 tablets
D) 4 tablets
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Use the formula Desired ÷ Available × Quantity. 1000 mg ÷ 500 mg × 1 tablet = 2 tablets. Always verify
the dosage strength on the medication label before administration.
3. A patient is prescribed 250 mg of an antibiotic PO every 6 hours. The medication is available in 125 mg tablets.
How many tablets should the nurse administer per dose?
A) 1 tablet
B) 4 tablets
C) 3 tablets
D) 2 tablets
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Divide the prescribed dose by the strength per tablet: 250 mg ÷ 125 mg = 2 tablets. Verify that the dosage
form matches the provider's order before administration.
4. A client with hypertension weighing 72.4 kg is receiving nitroprusside 50 mg in D5W 250 mL at 75 mL/hour.
How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving?
A) 2.1 mcg/kg/min
B) 3.5 mcg/kg/min
C) 4.8 mcg/kg/min
D) 5.2 mcg/kg/min
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: Calculate mg/hr: 50 mg : 250 mL = X : 75 mL → 250X = 3750 → X = 15 mg/hr. Convert to mcg/hr:
15,000 mcg/hr. Divide by 60 min = 250 mcg/min. Divide by weight: 250 ÷ 72.4 = 3.45, rounded to 3.5 mcg/kg/min.
5. Order: 1 gram. Available: 500 mg tablets. How many tablets should be given?
A) 1 tablet
B) 2 tablets
C) 3 tablets
D) 4 tablets
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Convert 1 gram to milligrams: 1 g = 1000 mg. Then 1000 mg ÷ 500 mg = 2 tablets.
6. Order: 750 mg. Available: 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A) 10 mL
B) 15 mL
C) 20 mL
D) 25 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: (750 ÷ 250) × 5 = 15 mL. Use ratio and proportion to verify: 250 mg/5 mL = 750 mg/X mL → 250X =
3750 → X = 15 mL.
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7. IV order: 1000 mL over 8 hours. What is the infusion rate in mL/hr?
A) 100 mL/hr
B) 125 mL/hr
C) 150 mL/hr
D) 175 mL/hr
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Total volume ÷ total time = 1000 mL ÷ 8 hours = 125 mL/hr.
8. A client who weighs 70 kg is receiving dopamine 800 mg/500 mL normal saline at 5 mL/hour. How many
mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving?
A) 1.5 mcg/kg/min
B) 1.9 mcg/kg/min
C) 2.3 mcg/kg/min
D) 3.0 mcg/kg/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Desired rate (5 mL/hr) ÷ volume (500 mL) × dose (800 mg) = 8 mg/hr. Convert to mcg/kg/min: 8 mg ×
1000 ÷ 70 kg ÷ 60 minutes = 1.904, rounded to 1.9 mcg/kg/min.
9. A prescription reads aspirin 650 mg orally. The medication is available as 325 mg/tablet. How many tablets
should be given?
BSN 215 HESI Dosage Calculation Exam
Exam Questions & Correct Answers with Detailed
Rationales | 2026 Latest Upgrade
1. A client with cardiogenic shock weighs 220 lb and is receiving dopamine at 3 mcg/kg/minute. The solution is
dopamine 400 mg in 250 mL D5W. What rate in mL/hr should the nurse set the infusion pump?
A) 8.5 mL/hr
B) 11.3 mL/hr
C) 15.7 mL/hr
D) 22.6 mL/hr
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Convert 220 lb to kg (220 ÷ 2.2 = 100 kg). Calculate 3 mcg/kg/min × 100 kg = 300 mcg/min. Convert to
mcg/hr: 300 × 60 = 18,000 mcg/hr = 18 mg/hr. Concentration is 400 mg/250 mL = 1.6 mg/mL. Rate = 18 ÷ 1.6 =
11.25, rounded to 11.3 mL/hr.
2. The physician orders acetaminophen 1000 mg PO. The medication is available as 500 mg tablets. How many
tablets should the nurse administer?
A) 1 tablet
B) 2 tablets
C) 3 tablets
D) 4 tablets
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Use the formula Desired ÷ Available × Quantity. 1000 mg ÷ 500 mg × 1 tablet = 2 tablets. Always verify
the dosage strength on the medication label before administration.
3. A patient is prescribed 250 mg of an antibiotic PO every 6 hours. The medication is available in 125 mg tablets.
How many tablets should the nurse administer per dose?
A) 1 tablet
B) 4 tablets
C) 3 tablets
D) 2 tablets
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Divide the prescribed dose by the strength per tablet: 250 mg ÷ 125 mg = 2 tablets. Verify that the dosage
form matches the provider's order before administration.
4. A client with hypertension weighing 72.4 kg is receiving nitroprusside 50 mg in D5W 250 mL at 75 mL/hour.
How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving?
A) 2.1 mcg/kg/min
B) 3.5 mcg/kg/min
C) 4.8 mcg/kg/min
D) 5.2 mcg/kg/min
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: Calculate mg/hr: 50 mg : 250 mL = X : 75 mL → 250X = 3750 → X = 15 mg/hr. Convert to mcg/hr:
15,000 mcg/hr. Divide by 60 min = 250 mcg/min. Divide by weight: 250 ÷ 72.4 = 3.45, rounded to 3.5 mcg/kg/min.
5. Order: 1 gram. Available: 500 mg tablets. How many tablets should be given?
A) 1 tablet
B) 2 tablets
C) 3 tablets
D) 4 tablets
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Convert 1 gram to milligrams: 1 g = 1000 mg. Then 1000 mg ÷ 500 mg = 2 tablets.
6. Order: 750 mg. Available: 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer?
A) 10 mL
B) 15 mL
C) 20 mL
D) 25 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: (750 ÷ 250) × 5 = 15 mL. Use ratio and proportion to verify: 250 mg/5 mL = 750 mg/X mL → 250X =
3750 → X = 15 mL.
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7. IV order: 1000 mL over 8 hours. What is the infusion rate in mL/hr?
A) 100 mL/hr
B) 125 mL/hr
C) 150 mL/hr
D) 175 mL/hr
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Total volume ÷ total time = 1000 mL ÷ 8 hours = 125 mL/hr.
8. A client who weighs 70 kg is receiving dopamine 800 mg/500 mL normal saline at 5 mL/hour. How many
mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving?
A) 1.5 mcg/kg/min
B) 1.9 mcg/kg/min
C) 2.3 mcg/kg/min
D) 3.0 mcg/kg/min
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Desired rate (5 mL/hr) ÷ volume (500 mL) × dose (800 mg) = 8 mg/hr. Convert to mcg/kg/min: 8 mg ×
1000 ÷ 70 kg ÷ 60 minutes = 1.904, rounded to 1.9 mcg/kg/min.
9. A prescription reads aspirin 650 mg orally. The medication is available as 325 mg/tablet. How many tablets
should be given?
