CALCULATION OF DRUG DOSAGES: A WORK TEXT
12TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)SHEILA J. OGDEN; LINDA FLUHARTY
CHAPTER 1: FRACTIONS PRETEST
CALCULATION OF DRUG DOSAGES — 12TH EDITION
20 ORIGINAL DOSAGE-CALCULATION PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1
Category: [Basic Mathematics]
Difficulty: Foundational
Question:
A nursing student is reviewing fraction terminology. In the fraction ( \frac{3}{8} ), which
number is the denominator?
A. 3
B. 8
C. 11
D. 5
Correct Answer: B. 8
Calculation / Reasoning:
In a fraction, the numerator is the top number and the denominator is the bottom
number.
[
\frac{3}{8}
]
• Numerator = 3
1
, • Denominator = 8
Rationale:
The denominator represents the number of equal parts into which the whole is divided.
The numerator indicates how many of those parts are being considered. Recognizing
these two components is foundational for comparing, simplifying, adding, subtracting,
and converting fractions.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. 3 is the numerator, not the denominator.
B. 8 is the denominator and is correct.
C. 11 is the sum of 3 and 8 and is not part of the fraction structure.
D. 5 is unrelated to the given fraction.
Clinical Focus:
Correctly identifying the numerator and denominator is foundational to accurate
medication-mathematics calculations.
QUESTION 2
Category: [Basic Mathematics]
Difficulty: Foundational
Question:
A student is asked to identify the proper fraction from the following choices. Which
fraction represents a quantity less than 1?
A. ( \frac{9}{4} )
B. ( \frac{7}{3} )
C. ( \frac{5}{5} )
D. ( \frac{3}{7} )
Correct Answer: D. ( \frac{3}{7} )
Calculation / Reasoning:
A proper fraction has a numerator smaller than its denominator.
[
\frac{3}{7}
]
Since 3 is less than 7, the fraction is less than 1.
2
,Rationale:
A proper fraction represents a quantity smaller than one whole. When the numerator is
smaller than the denominator, the value is less than 1. Fractions such as (9/4) and (7/3)
are improper because their numerators exceed their denominators. (5/5) equals exactly
1.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. (9/4) is greater than 1.
B. (7/3) is greater than 1.
C. (5/5 = 1), not less than 1.
D. (3/7 < 1) and is correct.
Clinical Focus:
Recognizing whether a fraction is less than, equal to, or greater than one supports safe
interpretation of medication quantities.
QUESTION 3
Category: [Conversions]
Difficulty: Foundational
Question:
A medication calculation produces the fraction ( \frac{6}{12} ). The nurse simplifies the
fraction before continuing the calculation. What is the simplified fraction?
A. ( \frac{1}{2} )
B. ( \frac{2}{3} )
C. ( \frac{3}{4} )
D. ( \frac{1}{3} )
Correct Answer: A. ( \frac{1}{2} )
Calculation / Reasoning:
The greatest common factor of 6 and 12 is 6.
\frac{1}{2}
]
Rationale:
3
, To simplify a fraction, divide both the numerator and denominator by the same
common factor. Dividing 6 and 12 by 6 produces (1/2). Simplifying fractions can make
subsequent calculations easier while preserving the original value.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. (1/2) is correct because both numbers were divided by 6.
B. (2/3) does not have the same value as (6/12).
C. (3/4) does not equal (6/12).
D. (1/3) is smaller than (6/12).
Clinical Focus:
Simplification should preserve the numerical value of the medication quantity.
QUESTION 4
Category: [Basic Mathematics]
Difficulty: Foundational
Question:
Which fraction is equivalent to ( \frac{2}{5} )?
A. ( \frac{4}{15} )
B. ( \frac{6}{10} )
C. ( \frac{8}{20} )
D. ( \frac{10}{15} )
Correct Answer: C. ( \frac{8}{20} )
Calculation / Reasoning:
Multiply both numerator and denominator of (2/5) by 4:
\frac{8}{20}
]
Rationale:
Equivalent fractions have the same numerical value. Multiplying the numerator and
denominator by the same nonzero number creates an equivalent fraction.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. (4/15) is not equivalent to (2/5).
B. (6/10 = 3/5), not (2/5).
4
12TH EDITION
AUTHOR(S)SHEILA J. OGDEN; LINDA FLUHARTY
CHAPTER 1: FRACTIONS PRETEST
CALCULATION OF DRUG DOSAGES — 12TH EDITION
20 ORIGINAL DOSAGE-CALCULATION PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUESTION 1
Category: [Basic Mathematics]
Difficulty: Foundational
Question:
A nursing student is reviewing fraction terminology. In the fraction ( \frac{3}{8} ), which
number is the denominator?
A. 3
B. 8
C. 11
D. 5
Correct Answer: B. 8
Calculation / Reasoning:
In a fraction, the numerator is the top number and the denominator is the bottom
number.
[
\frac{3}{8}
]
• Numerator = 3
1
, • Denominator = 8
Rationale:
The denominator represents the number of equal parts into which the whole is divided.
The numerator indicates how many of those parts are being considered. Recognizing
these two components is foundational for comparing, simplifying, adding, subtracting,
and converting fractions.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. 3 is the numerator, not the denominator.
B. 8 is the denominator and is correct.
C. 11 is the sum of 3 and 8 and is not part of the fraction structure.
D. 5 is unrelated to the given fraction.
Clinical Focus:
Correctly identifying the numerator and denominator is foundational to accurate
medication-mathematics calculations.
QUESTION 2
Category: [Basic Mathematics]
Difficulty: Foundational
Question:
A student is asked to identify the proper fraction from the following choices. Which
fraction represents a quantity less than 1?
A. ( \frac{9}{4} )
B. ( \frac{7}{3} )
C. ( \frac{5}{5} )
D. ( \frac{3}{7} )
Correct Answer: D. ( \frac{3}{7} )
Calculation / Reasoning:
A proper fraction has a numerator smaller than its denominator.
[
\frac{3}{7}
]
Since 3 is less than 7, the fraction is less than 1.
2
,Rationale:
A proper fraction represents a quantity smaller than one whole. When the numerator is
smaller than the denominator, the value is less than 1. Fractions such as (9/4) and (7/3)
are improper because their numerators exceed their denominators. (5/5) equals exactly
1.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. (9/4) is greater than 1.
B. (7/3) is greater than 1.
C. (5/5 = 1), not less than 1.
D. (3/7 < 1) and is correct.
Clinical Focus:
Recognizing whether a fraction is less than, equal to, or greater than one supports safe
interpretation of medication quantities.
QUESTION 3
Category: [Conversions]
Difficulty: Foundational
Question:
A medication calculation produces the fraction ( \frac{6}{12} ). The nurse simplifies the
fraction before continuing the calculation. What is the simplified fraction?
A. ( \frac{1}{2} )
B. ( \frac{2}{3} )
C. ( \frac{3}{4} )
D. ( \frac{1}{3} )
Correct Answer: A. ( \frac{1}{2} )
Calculation / Reasoning:
The greatest common factor of 6 and 12 is 6.
\frac{1}{2}
]
Rationale:
3
, To simplify a fraction, divide both the numerator and denominator by the same
common factor. Dividing 6 and 12 by 6 produces (1/2). Simplifying fractions can make
subsequent calculations easier while preserving the original value.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. (1/2) is correct because both numbers were divided by 6.
B. (2/3) does not have the same value as (6/12).
C. (3/4) does not equal (6/12).
D. (1/3) is smaller than (6/12).
Clinical Focus:
Simplification should preserve the numerical value of the medication quantity.
QUESTION 4
Category: [Basic Mathematics]
Difficulty: Foundational
Question:
Which fraction is equivalent to ( \frac{2}{5} )?
A. ( \frac{4}{15} )
B. ( \frac{6}{10} )
C. ( \frac{8}{20} )
D. ( \frac{10}{15} )
Correct Answer: C. ( \frac{8}{20} )
Calculation / Reasoning:
Multiply both numerator and denominator of (2/5) by 4:
\frac{8}{20}
]
Rationale:
Equivalent fractions have the same numerical value. Multiplying the numerator and
denominator by the same nonzero number creates an equivalent fraction.
Why the other options are incorrect:
A. (4/15) is not equivalent to (2/5).
B. (6/10 = 3/5), not (2/5).
4
