Dosage Calculation Exam V2 - BSN HESI 215 - Nightingale College Review
Dosage Calculation Exam V2 - BSN HESI 215
Nightingale College Comprehensive Review Examination
1. A physician orders 0.5 grams of a medication. The pharmacy supplies the medication in milligrams. How many
milligrams should the nurse administer?
A. 50 mg
B. 250 mg
C. 500 mg [CORRECT]
D. 5,000 mg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 1 gram equals 1,000 milligrams; therefore 0.5 g equals 0.5 x 1,000 = 500 mg. This matches the standard metric
conversion for mass.
2. A patient is prescribed amoxicillin 500 mg PO every 8 hours. The pharmacy dispenses amoxicillin oral suspension 250
mg/5 mL. How many milliliters per dose should the nurse administer?
A. 5 mL
B. 7.5 mL
C. 10 mL [CORRECT]
D. 15 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because Desired / Have x Volume = x 5 = 10 mL. This matches the formula method for oral suspension
dosing.
3. The physician orders 1,000 mL of normal saline to infuse over 8 hours. The IV tubing has a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL.
What is the drip rate in gtt/min?
A. 25 gtt/min
B. 28 gtt/min
C. 31 gtt/min [CORRECT]
D. 35 gtt/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because Volume x drop factor / Time = 1,000 x = 31.25, rounded to 31 gtt/min. This matches the standard IV
drip rate calculation.
4. A pediatric patient weighs 22 lb. The physician orders a medication at 5 mg/kg/dose. How many milligrams per dose
should the nurse administer?
A. 25 mg
B. 45 mg
C. 50 mg [CORRECT]
D. 110 mg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 22 lb / 2.2 = 10 kg, and 10 kg x 5 mg/kg = 50 mg per dose. Priority is converting pounds to kilograms first
before applying the weight-based dose.
BSN HESI 215 Comprehensive Review Page 1
,Dosage Calculation Exam V2 - BSN HESI 215 - Nightingale College Review
5. A patient with acute deep vein thrombosis is admitted to the progressive care unit. The physician orders a heparin drip at
18 units/kg/hr. The patient weighs 176 lb. The available heparin concentration is 25,000 units in 500 mL D5W. What is the
infusion rate in mL/hr?
A. 24 mL/hr
B. 28 mL/hr
C. 29 mL/hr [CORRECT]
D. 36 mL/hr
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 176 lb / 2.2 = 80 kg; 80 kg x 18 units/kg/hr = 1,440 units/hr; then 1,440 / (25,000/500) = 1, = 28.8,
rounded to 29 mL/hr. This matches the heparin drip calculation sequence.
6. A child weighs 15 kg and is prescribed diphenhydramine. The recommended safe dose range is 5 mg/kg/day divided
every 6 hours. What is the maximum single dose the nurse should administer?
A. 9.4 mg
B. 15 mg
C. 18.75 mg [CORRECT]
D. 75 mg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because total daily dose = 15 kg x 5 mg/kg = 75 mg/day; divided into 4 doses (every 6 hours) = = 18.75 mg per
dose. This matches the safe dose range calculation for divided dosing.
7. A pediatric patient weighs 20 kg and is 110 cm tall. Using the Mosteller BSA formula, what is the approximate body
surface area?
A. 0.55 m2
B. 0.68 m2
C. 0.78 m2 [CORRECT]
D. 1.20 m2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because BSA = sqrt([Height(cm) x Weight(kg)] / 3,600) = sqrt(2,,600) = sqrt(0.611) = 0.78 m2. This matches the
standard Mosteller BSA estimation method.
8. A patient's blood glucose is 284 mg/dL. The insulin sliding scale order reads: for glucose 250-300 mg/dL, give 6 units
Humalog subcutaneously. How many units should the nurse administer?
A. 4 units
B. 5 units
C. 6 units [CORRECT]
D. 10 units
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the blood glucose of 284 mg/dL falls within the prescribed range of 250-300 mg/dL, which corresponds to 6
units of Humalog. Priority is matching the glucose reading to the correct sliding scale tier.
9. Using dimensional analysis, a physician orders 75 mcg of a medication. The available concentration is 0.1 mg/mL. How
many milliliters should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 0.75 mL [CORRECT]
C. 1.5 mL
D. 7.5 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because 75 mcg = 0.075 mg; using dimensional analysis: 0.075 mg x (1 mL / 0.1 mg) = 0.75 mL. This matches the
conversion-first approach required in dimensional analysis.
BSN HESI 215 Comprehensive Review Page 2
, Dosage Calculation Exam V2 - BSN HESI 215 - Nightingale College Review
10. Using the ratio-proportion method, a physician orders 40 mg of a medication IV. The available concentration is 80 mg/2
mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 1 mL [CORRECT]
C. 2 mL
D. 4 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the proportion is 80 mg / 2 mL = 40 mg / X mL; cross-multiplying gives 80X = 80, so X = 1 mL. This matches
the ratio-proportion method for dosage calculation.
11. A patient is instructed to take 2 tablespoons of cough syrup at bedtime. How many milliliters is the nurse teaching the
patient to take?
A. 10 mL
B. 15 mL
C. 30 mL [CORRECT]
D. 45 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 1 tablespoon equals 15 mL; therefore 2 tablespoons = 2 x 15 = 30 mL. This matches the standard
household-to-metric conversion for volume.
12. A 5-year-old child weighing 40 lb is admitted with a bacterial infection. The physician orders ceftriaxone 75 mg/kg/day
IV divided every 12 hours. The pharmacy supplies ceftriaxone 1 g/10 mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer
per dose?
A. 3.4 mL
B. 5.5 mL
C. 6.8 mL [CORRECT]
D. 13.6 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 40 lb / 2.2 = 18.18 kg; total daily dose = 18.18 x 75 = 1,363.6 mg/day; per dose = 1,363. = 681.8 mg; then
681.8 / (1,000/10) = 6.8 mL. This matches the pediatric divided-dose calculation.
13. A vial of penicillin G contains 5 million units as a dry powder. Reconstitution instructions state to add 18.2 mL of sterile
water to yield a concentration of 250,000 units/mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer for a prescribed dose
of 1.5 million units?
A. 4 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 6 mL [CORRECT]
D. 10 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 1,500,000 units / 250,000 units/mL = 6 mL. This matches the reconstituted concentration calculation for
powdered medications.
14. Using the formula method (D/H x Q), a physician orders 0.4 mg of atropine sulfate IV. The available concentration is 0.1
mg/mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer?
A. 2 mL
B. 3 mL
C. 4 mL [CORRECT]
D. 5 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because D/H x Q = 0.4 mg / 0.1 mg x 1 mL = 4 mL. This matches the standard formula method where D = desired dose,
H = dose on hand, and Q = quantity.
BSN HESI 215 Comprehensive Review Page 3
Dosage Calculation Exam V2 - BSN HESI 215
Nightingale College Comprehensive Review Examination
1. A physician orders 0.5 grams of a medication. The pharmacy supplies the medication in milligrams. How many
milligrams should the nurse administer?
A. 50 mg
B. 250 mg
C. 500 mg [CORRECT]
D. 5,000 mg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 1 gram equals 1,000 milligrams; therefore 0.5 g equals 0.5 x 1,000 = 500 mg. This matches the standard metric
conversion for mass.
2. A patient is prescribed amoxicillin 500 mg PO every 8 hours. The pharmacy dispenses amoxicillin oral suspension 250
mg/5 mL. How many milliliters per dose should the nurse administer?
A. 5 mL
B. 7.5 mL
C. 10 mL [CORRECT]
D. 15 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because Desired / Have x Volume = x 5 = 10 mL. This matches the formula method for oral suspension
dosing.
3. The physician orders 1,000 mL of normal saline to infuse over 8 hours. The IV tubing has a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL.
What is the drip rate in gtt/min?
A. 25 gtt/min
B. 28 gtt/min
C. 31 gtt/min [CORRECT]
D. 35 gtt/min
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because Volume x drop factor / Time = 1,000 x = 31.25, rounded to 31 gtt/min. This matches the standard IV
drip rate calculation.
4. A pediatric patient weighs 22 lb. The physician orders a medication at 5 mg/kg/dose. How many milligrams per dose
should the nurse administer?
A. 25 mg
B. 45 mg
C. 50 mg [CORRECT]
D. 110 mg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 22 lb / 2.2 = 10 kg, and 10 kg x 5 mg/kg = 50 mg per dose. Priority is converting pounds to kilograms first
before applying the weight-based dose.
BSN HESI 215 Comprehensive Review Page 1
,Dosage Calculation Exam V2 - BSN HESI 215 - Nightingale College Review
5. A patient with acute deep vein thrombosis is admitted to the progressive care unit. The physician orders a heparin drip at
18 units/kg/hr. The patient weighs 176 lb. The available heparin concentration is 25,000 units in 500 mL D5W. What is the
infusion rate in mL/hr?
A. 24 mL/hr
B. 28 mL/hr
C. 29 mL/hr [CORRECT]
D. 36 mL/hr
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 176 lb / 2.2 = 80 kg; 80 kg x 18 units/kg/hr = 1,440 units/hr; then 1,440 / (25,000/500) = 1, = 28.8,
rounded to 29 mL/hr. This matches the heparin drip calculation sequence.
6. A child weighs 15 kg and is prescribed diphenhydramine. The recommended safe dose range is 5 mg/kg/day divided
every 6 hours. What is the maximum single dose the nurse should administer?
A. 9.4 mg
B. 15 mg
C. 18.75 mg [CORRECT]
D. 75 mg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because total daily dose = 15 kg x 5 mg/kg = 75 mg/day; divided into 4 doses (every 6 hours) = = 18.75 mg per
dose. This matches the safe dose range calculation for divided dosing.
7. A pediatric patient weighs 20 kg and is 110 cm tall. Using the Mosteller BSA formula, what is the approximate body
surface area?
A. 0.55 m2
B. 0.68 m2
C. 0.78 m2 [CORRECT]
D. 1.20 m2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because BSA = sqrt([Height(cm) x Weight(kg)] / 3,600) = sqrt(2,,600) = sqrt(0.611) = 0.78 m2. This matches the
standard Mosteller BSA estimation method.
8. A patient's blood glucose is 284 mg/dL. The insulin sliding scale order reads: for glucose 250-300 mg/dL, give 6 units
Humalog subcutaneously. How many units should the nurse administer?
A. 4 units
B. 5 units
C. 6 units [CORRECT]
D. 10 units
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because the blood glucose of 284 mg/dL falls within the prescribed range of 250-300 mg/dL, which corresponds to 6
units of Humalog. Priority is matching the glucose reading to the correct sliding scale tier.
9. Using dimensional analysis, a physician orders 75 mcg of a medication. The available concentration is 0.1 mg/mL. How
many milliliters should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 0.75 mL [CORRECT]
C. 1.5 mL
D. 7.5 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because 75 mcg = 0.075 mg; using dimensional analysis: 0.075 mg x (1 mL / 0.1 mg) = 0.75 mL. This matches the
conversion-first approach required in dimensional analysis.
BSN HESI 215 Comprehensive Review Page 2
, Dosage Calculation Exam V2 - BSN HESI 215 - Nightingale College Review
10. Using the ratio-proportion method, a physician orders 40 mg of a medication IV. The available concentration is 80 mg/2
mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 1 mL [CORRECT]
C. 2 mL
D. 4 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Correct because the proportion is 80 mg / 2 mL = 40 mg / X mL; cross-multiplying gives 80X = 80, so X = 1 mL. This matches
the ratio-proportion method for dosage calculation.
11. A patient is instructed to take 2 tablespoons of cough syrup at bedtime. How many milliliters is the nurse teaching the
patient to take?
A. 10 mL
B. 15 mL
C. 30 mL [CORRECT]
D. 45 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 1 tablespoon equals 15 mL; therefore 2 tablespoons = 2 x 15 = 30 mL. This matches the standard
household-to-metric conversion for volume.
12. A 5-year-old child weighing 40 lb is admitted with a bacterial infection. The physician orders ceftriaxone 75 mg/kg/day
IV divided every 12 hours. The pharmacy supplies ceftriaxone 1 g/10 mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer
per dose?
A. 3.4 mL
B. 5.5 mL
C. 6.8 mL [CORRECT]
D. 13.6 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 40 lb / 2.2 = 18.18 kg; total daily dose = 18.18 x 75 = 1,363.6 mg/day; per dose = 1,363. = 681.8 mg; then
681.8 / (1,000/10) = 6.8 mL. This matches the pediatric divided-dose calculation.
13. A vial of penicillin G contains 5 million units as a dry powder. Reconstitution instructions state to add 18.2 mL of sterile
water to yield a concentration of 250,000 units/mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer for a prescribed dose
of 1.5 million units?
A. 4 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 6 mL [CORRECT]
D. 10 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because 1,500,000 units / 250,000 units/mL = 6 mL. This matches the reconstituted concentration calculation for
powdered medications.
14. Using the formula method (D/H x Q), a physician orders 0.4 mg of atropine sulfate IV. The available concentration is 0.1
mg/mL. How many milliliters should the nurse administer?
A. 2 mL
B. 3 mL
C. 4 mL [CORRECT]
D. 5 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Correct because D/H x Q = 0.4 mg / 0.1 mg x 1 mL = 4 mL. This matches the standard formula method where D = desired dose,
H = dose on hand, and Q = quantity.
BSN HESI 215 Comprehensive Review Page 3
