HESI DOSAGE CALCULATION
A client who had a small bowel resection two weeks ago is receiving 3/4 strength Ensure
feedings 275 ml q4 hours via nasogastric tube. Full strength Ensure is available in a 240 ml
can. The practical nurse (PN) should use how many ml of Ensure to prepare the feeding?
(Enter numeric value only. Round to nearest whole number if needed.)
206
Using the formula Desired % / on Hand % x Volume Desired =
75/100 x 275 = .75 x 275 = 206 Ensure
206 ml Ensure + 69ml water = 275 ml (75% solution)
The healthcare provider prescribes an IV infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride with 40 mEq
KCl/500 ml to infuse over 3 hours for a client with hypokalemia. The practical nurse should
program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If
rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
167
To determine ml/hour:
500 ml : 3 hours :: as X ml : 1 hour
500/X :: 3/1
500 = 3X
X = 166.66 (rounds to)= 167 ml/hour
A child weighing 28.4 kg is hypertensive. The healthcare provider prescibes methyldopa
(Aldomet) 40 mg/kg/day IV in 4 divided doses. The pharmacy provides a 50 mg/ml injection
vial. How many ml should the practical nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only. If
rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
5.7
First calculate the total mg dose/day:
, 40 mg x 28.4 kg = 1136 mg/day
Next divide the total mg into the 4 dosages for the day:
1136 mg/4 doses = 284 mg/dose
Using the Desired/Have formula:
284mg/50mg x 1 ml = 5.68 ml/ dose or 5.7 ml.
A client with pericardial effusion has phrenic nerve compression resulting in recurrent
hiccups. The healthcare provider prescribes metoclopramide (Reglan) liquid 10 mg PO q6
hours. Reglan is available as 5 mg/5 ml. A measuring device marked in teaspoons is being
used. How many teaspoons should the practical nurse administer?
2
First, using the formula, Desired dose/dose on Hand x Quantity of volume on hand (D/H x Q),
10 mg / 5 mg x 5ml = 10 ml
Next using the known conversion of 5 ml = 1 tsp:
5 ml : 1 tsp :: 10 ml : X
: 1 / X
5X = 10
X=2
A client who has a sinus infection is receiving a prescription for amoxicillin/clavulanate
potassium (Augmentin) 500 mg PO q8 hours. The available form is 250 mg amoxicillin/125mg
clavulanate tablets. How many tablets should the practical nurse administer for each dose?
(Enter numeric value only.)
2
Using the known equivalent, 1 gram = 1000 mg, the nurse should first convert the dose to the
same unit of measurement, which is 1 gram = 1000 mg.
Using the formula, Desired / Available x 1 tablets:
1000 mg / 500 mg x 1 = 2 tablets
A client who had a small bowel resection two weeks ago is receiving 3/4 strength Ensure
feedings 275 ml q4 hours via nasogastric tube. Full strength Ensure is available in a 240 ml
can. The practical nurse (PN) should use how many ml of Ensure to prepare the feeding?
(Enter numeric value only. Round to nearest whole number if needed.)
206
Using the formula Desired % / on Hand % x Volume Desired =
75/100 x 275 = .75 x 275 = 206 Ensure
206 ml Ensure + 69ml water = 275 ml (75% solution)
The healthcare provider prescribes an IV infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride with 40 mEq
KCl/500 ml to infuse over 3 hours for a client with hypokalemia. The practical nurse should
program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If
rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
167
To determine ml/hour:
500 ml : 3 hours :: as X ml : 1 hour
500/X :: 3/1
500 = 3X
X = 166.66 (rounds to)= 167 ml/hour
A child weighing 28.4 kg is hypertensive. The healthcare provider prescibes methyldopa
(Aldomet) 40 mg/kg/day IV in 4 divided doses. The pharmacy provides a 50 mg/ml injection
vial. How many ml should the practical nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only. If
rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
5.7
First calculate the total mg dose/day:
, 40 mg x 28.4 kg = 1136 mg/day
Next divide the total mg into the 4 dosages for the day:
1136 mg/4 doses = 284 mg/dose
Using the Desired/Have formula:
284mg/50mg x 1 ml = 5.68 ml/ dose or 5.7 ml.
A client with pericardial effusion has phrenic nerve compression resulting in recurrent
hiccups. The healthcare provider prescribes metoclopramide (Reglan) liquid 10 mg PO q6
hours. Reglan is available as 5 mg/5 ml. A measuring device marked in teaspoons is being
used. How many teaspoons should the practical nurse administer?
2
First, using the formula, Desired dose/dose on Hand x Quantity of volume on hand (D/H x Q),
10 mg / 5 mg x 5ml = 10 ml
Next using the known conversion of 5 ml = 1 tsp:
5 ml : 1 tsp :: 10 ml : X
: 1 / X
5X = 10
X=2
A client who has a sinus infection is receiving a prescription for amoxicillin/clavulanate
potassium (Augmentin) 500 mg PO q8 hours. The available form is 250 mg amoxicillin/125mg
clavulanate tablets. How many tablets should the practical nurse administer for each dose?
(Enter numeric value only.)
2
Using the known equivalent, 1 gram = 1000 mg, the nurse should first convert the dose to the
same unit of measurement, which is 1 gram = 1000 mg.
Using the formula, Desired / Available x 1 tablets:
1000 mg / 500 mg x 1 = 2 tablets
