Version 1 | 2026/2027 | Questions and Verified Answers | Grade A
75 Questions | Basic Dosage Calculations | Weight-Based Dosing | IV Flow Rates | Critical Care Titrations | Integrated
Clinical Scenarios
Section 1: Basic Dosage Calculations (Q1-Q25)
Q1. The physician has written an order for a medication, 3,000 units to be given SQ. You have on hand
5,000 units/mL. You will administer _______ mL.
A. 0.5 mL
B. 0.8 mL
C. 0.6 mL [CORRECT]
D. 1.2 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using the desired-over-have method: 3,000 units / 5,000 units per mL = 0.6 mL. This is a straightforward ratio
calculation dividing the desired dose by the available concentration.
Q2. The surgeon orders 75 mg of a medication to be given IV push. The medication is available in a
concentration of 125 mg/2 mL. You will administer ____ mL to the patient. (Record your answer using one
decimal place.)
A. 1.0 mL
B. 1.2 mL [CORRECT]
C. 1.5 mL
D. 0.8 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Desired-over-have: 75 mg / (125 mg / 2 mL) = 75 mg x 2 mL / 125 mg = 150/125 = 1.2 mL. The ratio is set up so the
desired dose is in the numerator and the concentration is in the denominator.
Q3. The physician orders 0.3 g of a drug q12 hours PO. The drug is available in 150 mg caplets. The nurse
will administer ____ caplets per dose.
A. 1 caplet
B. 3 caplets
C. 2 caplets [CORRECT]
D. 4 caplets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: First convert grams to milligrams: 0.3 g = 300 mg. Then divide the desired dose by the dose per caplet: 300 mg / 150
mg per caplet = 2 caplets per dose. This is administered twice daily (q12h).
Q4. The physician orders 20 mg of a drug by IM injection. The medication is available in a 50 mg/mL vial.
How many mL should be administered?
Relias RN Advanced Math Ability Exam 2026/2027 | Page 1
, A. 0.2 mL
B. 0.5 mL
C. 0.4 mL [CORRECT]
D. 1.0 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using dimensional analysis: 20 mg x (1 mL / 50 mg) = 20/50 = 0.4 mL. The desired dose is multiplied by the inverse
of the concentration to yield the volume to administer.
Q5. The physician orders 2000 mg of medication in liquid suspension to be administered twice daily. You
have 1 g/15 mL available. What is the maximum daily dose in mL?
A. 30 mL
B. 45 mL
C. 60 mL [CORRECT]
D. 90 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Each dose is 2000 mg = 2 g. Twice daily = 4 g total per day. At 1 g per 15 mL, 4 g x 15 mL/g = 60 mL per day. This
question tests conversion from grams to milligrams and calculating total daily volume.
Q6. A physician orders 100 mcg of medication IV Push. It is available in a pre-mixed syringe with a
concentration of 1 mg/mL. You will give ____ mL.
A. 0.01 mL
B. 1.0 mL
C. 0.1 mL [CORRECT]
D. 10 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Convert mcg to mg first: 100 mcg = 0.1 mg. Then divide by concentration: 0.1 mg / 1 mg/mL = 0.1 mL. This
conversion step (mcg to mg) is critical and a common source of medication errors.
Q7. What is 70% of 65?
A. 42.0
B. 48.5
C. 45.5 [CORRECT]
D. 50.5
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Convert percentage to decimal and multiply: 0.70 x 65 = 45.5. This is a basic percentage calculation fundamental to
many nursing math applications including calculating partial doses.
Q8. Solve: 2 - 8 / () =
A. 0
B. 2
C. -6
D. 1 [CORRECT]
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Following order of operations (PEMDAS): 24 = 16; = 8; = 1; 2 - 1 = 1. Parentheses are resolved first, then
exponents, then division, then subtraction.
Relias RN Advanced Math Ability Exam 2026/2027 | Page 2
, Q9. A patient is ordered 250 mg of a medication. The pharmacy sends 500 mg in 2 mL. How many mL will
the nurse administer?
A. 2.5 mL
B. 0.5 mL
C. 1.0 mL [CORRECT]
D. 1.5 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using desired-over-have: 250 mg / (500 mg / 2 mL) = 250 x = 500/500 = 1.0 mL. Setting up the proportion
correctly ensures the dose per volume relationship is maintained.
Q10. The physician orders 1.5 g of cefazolin IV. The vial contains 2 g of cefazolin powder. The
reconstitution instructions say to add 6.8 mL of sterile water to yield 7 mL of solution (2 g/7 mL). How many
mL will the nurse draw up?
A. 4.5 mL
B. 5.25 mL [CORRECT]
C. 6.3 mL
D. 3.5 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Convert 1.5 g to mg: 1.5 g = 1500 mg. Reconstituted concentration: 2000 mg/7 mL = 285.7 mg/mL. Volume = 1500
mg / (2000 mg/7 mL) = 1500 x 7/2000 = 5.25 mL. Note the displacement volume in reconstitution.
Q11. A patient has an order for 7.5 mg of morphine IV. The available morphine concentration is 10 mg/mL.
How many mL should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 0.75 mL [CORRECT]
C. 1.0 mL
D. 1.5 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Desired-over-have: 7.5 mg / (10 mg/mL) = 0.75 mL. This is a common opioid calculation where precision is critical
because small volume errors can have significant clinical effects.
Q12. The physician orders digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily. The pharmacy provides digoxin 0.5 mg tablets. How
many tablet(s) should the nurse administer?
A. 0.5 tablet [CORRECT]
B. 1 tablet
C. 2 tablets
D. 1.5 tablets
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 0.25 mg / 0.5 mg per tablet = 0.5 tablet. Digoxin has a narrow therapeutic index, so half-tablet administration is
common. The nurse should verify the tablet is scored for accurate splitting.
Q13. A medication comes in 80 mg scored tablets. The physician orders 60 mg. How many tablet(s) should
the nurse administer?
A. 1.5 tablets
B. 0.5 tablet
C. 1 tablet
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