1
Dosage and Medication Calculations Exam Prep
| 120 Advanced Practice Questions with Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Complete
Review for Nursing Students | NCLEX-Aligned |
Graded A+
SECTION 1: BASIC PRINCIPLES AND SYSTEMS OF MEASUREMENT (Questions 1–
20)
1. A nurse is converting a client's weight from pounds to kilograms. The client
weighs 154 lb. What is the client's weight in kilograms? (Round to the nearest
tenth.)
A. 70 kg
B. 70.0 kg
C. 69.5 kg
D. 71 kg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.2. 154 ÷ 2.2 = 70 kg. The
answer should be expressed as 70.0 kg to reflect the precision of the conversion.
This is a fundamental calculation used for weight-based dosing.
2. A nurse is converting a client's weight from kilograms to pounds. The client
weighs 45 kg. What is the client's weight in pounds? (Round to the nearest
whole number.)
A. 90 lb
B. 95 lb
C. 99 lb
D. 100 lb
, 2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To convert kilograms to pounds, multiply by 2.2. 45 × 2.2 = 99 lb. This
conversion is essential when medications are ordered in pounds but the available
dosing is in kilograms, or vice versa.
3. A nurse is reviewing the metric system. Which of the following is the correct
equivalent for 1 gram?
A. 100 mg
B. 1,000 mg
C. 10,000 mg
D. 100,000 mg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 1 gram (g) = 1,000 milligrams (mg). The metric system is based on
powers of 10, making conversions straightforward. This is a fundamental
conversion used in medication calculations.
4. A nurse is converting 2.5 mg to micrograms. How many micrograms is this?
A. 250 mcg
B. 2,500 mcg
C. 25,000 mcg
D. 250,000 mcg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 1 mg = 1,000 mcg. Therefore, 2.5 mg × 1,000 = 2,500 mcg. Micrograms
are often used for potent medications such as levothyroxine and digoxin.
5. A nurse is converting 0.5 L to milliliters. How many milliliters is this?
, 3
A. 50 mL
B. 500 mL
C. 5,000 mL
D. 50,000 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 1 L = 1,000 mL. Therefore, 0.5 L × 1,000 = 500 mL. This conversion is
commonly used for IV fluid calculations.
6. A nurse is reviewing household measurements. Which of the following is
equivalent to 1 teaspoon?
A. 2 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 15 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 mL. Household measurements are commonly used
for oral liquid medications administered at home. However, healthcare facilities
typically use metric measurements for accuracy.
7. A nurse is reviewing household measurements. Which of the following is
equivalent to 1 tablespoon?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 15 mL
D. 30 mL
Correct Answer: C
, 4
Rationale: 1 tablespoon (Tbsp) = 15 mL. This is equivalent to 3 teaspoons.
Knowing these conversions is important when teaching clients about medication
administration at home.
8. A nurse is reviewing household measurements. Which of the following is
equivalent to 1 ounce?
A. 15 mL
B. 30 mL
C. 45 mL
D. 60 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 1 ounce (oz) = 30 mL. This conversion is commonly used for liquid
medications and nutritional supplements. A standard cup is 8 ounces or 240 mL.
9. A nurse is converting 1 kg to pounds. What is the correct equivalent?
A. 1.5 lb
B. 2.0 lb
C. 2.2 lb
D. 2.5 lb
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 1 kg = 2.2 lb. This is one of the most important conversions in nursing,
as many medications are dosed based on weight in kilograms, while clients often
know their weight in pounds.
10. A nurse is reviewing the apothecary system. Which of the following is
equivalent to 1 grain?
Dosage and Medication Calculations Exam Prep
| 120 Advanced Practice Questions with Verified
Answers & Detailed Rationales | Complete
Review for Nursing Students | NCLEX-Aligned |
Graded A+
SECTION 1: BASIC PRINCIPLES AND SYSTEMS OF MEASUREMENT (Questions 1–
20)
1. A nurse is converting a client's weight from pounds to kilograms. The client
weighs 154 lb. What is the client's weight in kilograms? (Round to the nearest
tenth.)
A. 70 kg
B. 70.0 kg
C. 69.5 kg
D. 71 kg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: To convert pounds to kilograms, divide by 2.2. 154 ÷ 2.2 = 70 kg. The
answer should be expressed as 70.0 kg to reflect the precision of the conversion.
This is a fundamental calculation used for weight-based dosing.
2. A nurse is converting a client's weight from kilograms to pounds. The client
weighs 45 kg. What is the client's weight in pounds? (Round to the nearest
whole number.)
A. 90 lb
B. 95 lb
C. 99 lb
D. 100 lb
, 2
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: To convert kilograms to pounds, multiply by 2.2. 45 × 2.2 = 99 lb. This
conversion is essential when medications are ordered in pounds but the available
dosing is in kilograms, or vice versa.
3. A nurse is reviewing the metric system. Which of the following is the correct
equivalent for 1 gram?
A. 100 mg
B. 1,000 mg
C. 10,000 mg
D. 100,000 mg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 1 gram (g) = 1,000 milligrams (mg). The metric system is based on
powers of 10, making conversions straightforward. This is a fundamental
conversion used in medication calculations.
4. A nurse is converting 2.5 mg to micrograms. How many micrograms is this?
A. 250 mcg
B. 2,500 mcg
C. 25,000 mcg
D. 250,000 mcg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 1 mg = 1,000 mcg. Therefore, 2.5 mg × 1,000 = 2,500 mcg. Micrograms
are often used for potent medications such as levothyroxine and digoxin.
5. A nurse is converting 0.5 L to milliliters. How many milliliters is this?
, 3
A. 50 mL
B. 500 mL
C. 5,000 mL
D. 50,000 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 1 L = 1,000 mL. Therefore, 0.5 L × 1,000 = 500 mL. This conversion is
commonly used for IV fluid calculations.
6. A nurse is reviewing household measurements. Which of the following is
equivalent to 1 teaspoon?
A. 2 mL
B. 5 mL
C. 10 mL
D. 15 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 1 teaspoon (tsp) = 5 mL. Household measurements are commonly used
for oral liquid medications administered at home. However, healthcare facilities
typically use metric measurements for accuracy.
7. A nurse is reviewing household measurements. Which of the following is
equivalent to 1 tablespoon?
A. 5 mL
B. 10 mL
C. 15 mL
D. 30 mL
Correct Answer: C
, 4
Rationale: 1 tablespoon (Tbsp) = 15 mL. This is equivalent to 3 teaspoons.
Knowing these conversions is important when teaching clients about medication
administration at home.
8. A nurse is reviewing household measurements. Which of the following is
equivalent to 1 ounce?
A. 15 mL
B. 30 mL
C. 45 mL
D. 60 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 1 ounce (oz) = 30 mL. This conversion is commonly used for liquid
medications and nutritional supplements. A standard cup is 8 ounces or 240 mL.
9. A nurse is converting 1 kg to pounds. What is the correct equivalent?
A. 1.5 lb
B. 2.0 lb
C. 2.2 lb
D. 2.5 lb
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 1 kg = 2.2 lb. This is one of the most important conversions in nursing,
as many medications are dosed based on weight in kilograms, while clients often
know their weight in pounds.
10. A nurse is reviewing the apothecary system. Which of the following is
equivalent to 1 grain?
