WGU D441 – Medical Dosage
Calculations and Pharmacology Exam
Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf.
1. A provider orders amoxicillin 500 mg orally every 8 hours. The
available capsules contain 250 mg each. How many capsules
should the nurse administer per dose?
A. 1 capsule
B. 2 capsules
C. 3 capsules
D. 4 capsules
Rationale: Divide the prescribed dose (500 mg) by the available dose
(250 mg): 500 ÷ 250 = 2 capsules. Always verify that the medication
concentration matches the prescribed route and dosage before
administration.
2. Which of the following represents the "right patient" in
medication administration?
,A. Asking the patient their room number
B. Looking at the patient's chart only
C. Verifying two patient identifiers before administration
D. Confirming the medication with another nurse only
Rationale: The right patient is verified using at least two approved
identifiers, such as the patient's full name and date of birth or medical
record number. Room numbers are not considered acceptable patient
identifiers.
3. A provider prescribes 750 mg of acetaminophen. The medication
is available as 250 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse
administer?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Rationale: Divide the prescribed dose by the available strength: 750 mg
÷ 250 mg = 3 tablets. The nurse should verify that the dose is within the
recommended therapeutic range before administration.
4. Which route of medication administration generally produces the
fastest systemic effect?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
,C. Intramuscular
D. Intravenous
Rationale: Intravenous medications enter the bloodstream immediately,
resulting in the fastest onset of action compared with other common
administration routes.
5. A medication order reads: "Morphine 4 mg IV every 4 hours PRN
pain." The vial contains 10 mg/mL. How many milliliters should
the nurse administer?
A. 0.2 mL
B. 0.4 mL
C. 0.8 mL
D. 1 mL
Rationale: Volume = Desired dose ÷ Concentration = 4 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL =
0.4 mL. Accurate calculation is essential because morphine is a high-
alert medication.
6. Which phase of pharmacokinetics refers to the movement of a
drug from the bloodstream into body tissues?
A. Absorption
B. Metabolism
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
Rationale: Distribution describes the transport of medications
throughout the body after entering systemic circulation. Factors such as
, blood flow, protein binding, and tissue permeability influence
distribution.
7. Which organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidney
B. Heart
C. Liver
D. Lungs
Rationale: Most medications undergo metabolism in the liver through
enzymatic processes that convert drugs into forms that are easier to
eliminate.
8. A patient weighs 88 pounds. What is the patient's weight in
kilograms?
A. 35 kg
B. 38 kg
C. 40 kg
D. 44 kg
Rationale: Convert pounds to kilograms by dividing by 2.2. Calculation:
88 ÷ 2.2 = 40 kg. Weight-based dosing requires accurate conversions.
9. Which medication is classified as an opioid analgesic?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Morphine
Calculations and Pharmacology Exam
Questions and Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales 2026
Q&A | Instant Download Pdf.
1. A provider orders amoxicillin 500 mg orally every 8 hours. The
available capsules contain 250 mg each. How many capsules
should the nurse administer per dose?
A. 1 capsule
B. 2 capsules
C. 3 capsules
D. 4 capsules
Rationale: Divide the prescribed dose (500 mg) by the available dose
(250 mg): 500 ÷ 250 = 2 capsules. Always verify that the medication
concentration matches the prescribed route and dosage before
administration.
2. Which of the following represents the "right patient" in
medication administration?
,A. Asking the patient their room number
B. Looking at the patient's chart only
C. Verifying two patient identifiers before administration
D. Confirming the medication with another nurse only
Rationale: The right patient is verified using at least two approved
identifiers, such as the patient's full name and date of birth or medical
record number. Room numbers are not considered acceptable patient
identifiers.
3. A provider prescribes 750 mg of acetaminophen. The medication
is available as 250 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse
administer?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Rationale: Divide the prescribed dose by the available strength: 750 mg
÷ 250 mg = 3 tablets. The nurse should verify that the dose is within the
recommended therapeutic range before administration.
4. Which route of medication administration generally produces the
fastest systemic effect?
A. Oral
B. Subcutaneous
,C. Intramuscular
D. Intravenous
Rationale: Intravenous medications enter the bloodstream immediately,
resulting in the fastest onset of action compared with other common
administration routes.
5. A medication order reads: "Morphine 4 mg IV every 4 hours PRN
pain." The vial contains 10 mg/mL. How many milliliters should
the nurse administer?
A. 0.2 mL
B. 0.4 mL
C. 0.8 mL
D. 1 mL
Rationale: Volume = Desired dose ÷ Concentration = 4 mg ÷ 10 mg/mL =
0.4 mL. Accurate calculation is essential because morphine is a high-
alert medication.
6. Which phase of pharmacokinetics refers to the movement of a
drug from the bloodstream into body tissues?
A. Absorption
B. Metabolism
C. Distribution
D. Excretion
Rationale: Distribution describes the transport of medications
throughout the body after entering systemic circulation. Factors such as
, blood flow, protein binding, and tissue permeability influence
distribution.
7. Which organ is primarily responsible for drug metabolism?
A. Kidney
B. Heart
C. Liver
D. Lungs
Rationale: Most medications undergo metabolism in the liver through
enzymatic processes that convert drugs into forms that are easier to
eliminate.
8. A patient weighs 88 pounds. What is the patient's weight in
kilograms?
A. 35 kg
B. 38 kg
C. 40 kg
D. 44 kg
Rationale: Convert pounds to kilograms by dividing by 2.2. Calculation:
88 ÷ 2.2 = 40 kg. Weight-based dosing requires accurate conversions.
9. Which medication is classified as an opioid analgesic?
A. Ibuprofen
B. Morphine
