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HESI Dosage Calculations & Medication
Administration Practice Test 2026–2027 |
Nursing Pharmacology & Mathematics Exam
Questions with Verified Answers and Detailed
Rationales
Description
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for nursing
students preparing for the HESI Dosage Calculations specialty exam.
The assessment covers basic dosage calculations, intravenous infusion
rates, weight-based dosing, pediatric and adult medication
administration, unit conversions, reconstitution problems, and titration
calculations. Questions are formatted in HESI and NCLEX style
requiring application of mathematical principles, clinical judgment,
and medication safety. This exam mirrors the official HESI testing
format with a focus on accuracy, prioritization, and real-world clinical
scenarios. All questions reflect current nursing practice standards and
medication administration guidelines.
---
SECTION 1: BASIC DOSAGE CALCULATIONS QUESTIONS 1
TO 50
---
Question 1
The healthcare provider orders amoxicillin 500 mg PO every 8 hours.
The medication is available as amoxicillin 250 mg per tablet. How
many tablets should the nurse administer per dose?
A) 1 tablet
B) 2 tablets
C) 3 tablets
D) 4 tablets
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The formula is Desired over Have times Vehicle. 500 mg
divided by 250 mg per tablet equals 2 tablets. The dose is 500 mg,
each tablet is 250 mg, so 2 tablets are needed per dose.
---
Question 2
The provider orders heparin 5000 units subcutaneous. The available
vial contains heparin 10,000 units per mL. How many mL should the
nurse administer?
A) 0.25 mL
B) 0.5 mL
C) 1 mL
D) 2 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Desired dose is 5000 units. Have is 10,000 units per mL.
Divide 5000 by 10,000 equals 0.5 mL. The volume to administer is
0.5 mL.
---
Question 3
A client is to receive 1000 mL of normal saline over 8 hours. The
drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. What is the infusion rate in drops per
minute?
A) 25 gtt/min
B) 31 gtt/min
C) 42 gtt/min
D) 50 gtt/min
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Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Formula is Volume in mL times drop factor divided by
time in minutes. 1000 mL times 15 gtt/mL equals 15,000 drops
divided by 480 minutes (8 hours times 60 minutes) equals 31.25
gtt/min. Rounded to 31 gtt/min.
---
Question 4
The provider orders digoxin 0.25 mg IV daily. The available vial
contains digoxin 0.5 mg per 2 mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer?
A) 0.5 mL
B) 1 mL
C) 1.5 mL
D) 2 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Desired is 0.25 mg. Have is 0.5 mg per 2 mL. The ratio is
0.25 divided by 0.5 equals 0.5. Multiply 0.5 by 2 mL equals 1 mL.
The nurse should administer 1 mL.
---
Question 5
A client weighs 150 pounds. How many kilograms does the client
weigh?
A) 62.5 kg
B) 68.2 kg
C) 75 kg
D) 82.5 kg
Correct Answer: B
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Rationale: To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.2. 150 divided
by 2.2 equals 68.18 kg. Rounded to 68.2 kg.
---
Question 6
The provider orders morphine sulfate 4 mg IV every 4 hours PRN for
pain. The available ampule contains morphine 10 mg per mL. How
many mL should the nurse administer?
A) 0.2 mL
B) 0.4 mL
C) 1 mL
D) 2.5 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Desired is 4 mg. Have is 10 mg per mL. 4 divided by 10
equals 0.4 mL. The nurse should administer 0.4 mL.
---
Question 7
A client is receiving IV fluids at 125 mL per hour. How many mL
will the client receive in 12 hours?
A) 1000 mL
B) 1250 mL
C) 1500 mL
D) 1750 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rate times time equals volume. 125 mL per hour times 12
hours equals 1500 mL.
HESI Dosage Calculations & Medication
Administration Practice Test 2026–2027 |
Nursing Pharmacology & Mathematics Exam
Questions with Verified Answers and Detailed
Rationales
Description
This comprehensive practice examination is designed for nursing
students preparing for the HESI Dosage Calculations specialty exam.
The assessment covers basic dosage calculations, intravenous infusion
rates, weight-based dosing, pediatric and adult medication
administration, unit conversions, reconstitution problems, and titration
calculations. Questions are formatted in HESI and NCLEX style
requiring application of mathematical principles, clinical judgment,
and medication safety. This exam mirrors the official HESI testing
format with a focus on accuracy, prioritization, and real-world clinical
scenarios. All questions reflect current nursing practice standards and
medication administration guidelines.
---
SECTION 1: BASIC DOSAGE CALCULATIONS QUESTIONS 1
TO 50
---
Question 1
The healthcare provider orders amoxicillin 500 mg PO every 8 hours.
The medication is available as amoxicillin 250 mg per tablet. How
many tablets should the nurse administer per dose?
A) 1 tablet
B) 2 tablets
C) 3 tablets
D) 4 tablets
,2|Page
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The formula is Desired over Have times Vehicle. 500 mg
divided by 250 mg per tablet equals 2 tablets. The dose is 500 mg,
each tablet is 250 mg, so 2 tablets are needed per dose.
---
Question 2
The provider orders heparin 5000 units subcutaneous. The available
vial contains heparin 10,000 units per mL. How many mL should the
nurse administer?
A) 0.25 mL
B) 0.5 mL
C) 1 mL
D) 2 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Desired dose is 5000 units. Have is 10,000 units per mL.
Divide 5000 by 10,000 equals 0.5 mL. The volume to administer is
0.5 mL.
---
Question 3
A client is to receive 1000 mL of normal saline over 8 hours. The
drop factor is 15 gtt/mL. What is the infusion rate in drops per
minute?
A) 25 gtt/min
B) 31 gtt/min
C) 42 gtt/min
D) 50 gtt/min
,3|Page
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Formula is Volume in mL times drop factor divided by
time in minutes. 1000 mL times 15 gtt/mL equals 15,000 drops
divided by 480 minutes (8 hours times 60 minutes) equals 31.25
gtt/min. Rounded to 31 gtt/min.
---
Question 4
The provider orders digoxin 0.25 mg IV daily. The available vial
contains digoxin 0.5 mg per 2 mL. How many mL should the nurse
administer?
A) 0.5 mL
B) 1 mL
C) 1.5 mL
D) 2 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Desired is 0.25 mg. Have is 0.5 mg per 2 mL. The ratio is
0.25 divided by 0.5 equals 0.5. Multiply 0.5 by 2 mL equals 1 mL.
The nurse should administer 1 mL.
---
Question 5
A client weighs 150 pounds. How many kilograms does the client
weigh?
A) 62.5 kg
B) 68.2 kg
C) 75 kg
D) 82.5 kg
Correct Answer: B
, 4|Page
Rationale: To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.2. 150 divided
by 2.2 equals 68.18 kg. Rounded to 68.2 kg.
---
Question 6
The provider orders morphine sulfate 4 mg IV every 4 hours PRN for
pain. The available ampule contains morphine 10 mg per mL. How
many mL should the nurse administer?
A) 0.2 mL
B) 0.4 mL
C) 1 mL
D) 2.5 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Desired is 4 mg. Have is 10 mg per mL. 4 divided by 10
equals 0.4 mL. The nurse should administer 0.4 mL.
---
Question 7
A client is receiving IV fluids at 125 mL per hour. How many mL
will the client receive in 12 hours?
A) 1000 mL
B) 1250 mL
C) 1500 mL
D) 1750 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rate times time equals volume. 125 mL per hour times 12
hours equals 1500 mL.
