1
HESI A2 Algebra Exam Bank for
Medication Dosage & IV Flow
Mastery (2025 Edition)
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Solving for Unknowns in Medication Dosage Equations................2
Subtopic 2: Algebraic Applications in IV Flow Rate Calculations....................11
Subtopic 3: Algebraic Word Problems for Dosage Adjustments and Titrations
.......................................................................................................................20
Subtopic 4: Dimensional Analysis in Dosage Calculations.............................30
Subtopic 5: Algebraic Conversions Between Units in Nursing Dosage Math..39
Subtopic 6: Solving Equations Involving Dosage Formulas and Flow Rates...48
Subtopic 7: Proportions and Cross-Multiplication in IV and Drug Calculations
.......................................................................................................................57
Subtopic 8: Algebra in Pediatric Dosing and Body Surface Area (BSA)
Calculations...................................................................................................66
Subtopic 9: Algebra in IV Flow Rate, Drop Factor, and Time Calculations......76
Subtopic 10: Word Problems Involving Algebraic Reasoning in Dosage and
Flow Calculations...........................................................................................84
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Subtopic 1: Solving for Unknowns in
Medication Dosage Equations
1. A patient is prescribed 250 mg of a medication. The available tablet
strength is 125 mg. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 2.5 tablets
D. 0.5 tablets
Correct Answer: B. 2 tablets
Rationale:
To determine the number of tablets:
250 mg ÷ 125 mg = 2 tablets.
This is a basic division equation to solve for the unknown number of tablets.
2. A doctor orders 0.5 g of a drug. The medication is supplied in 250 mg
tablets. How many tablets are required?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 1.5
D. 0.5
Correct Answer: B. 2
Rationale:
, 3
Convert grams to milligrams: 0.5 g = 500 mg
500 mg ÷ 250 mg = 2 tablets
3. A prescription reads: Give amoxicillin 30 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses.
The child weighs 20 kg. What is the amount of each dose?
A. 100 mg
B. 200 mg
C. 300 mg
D. 600 mg
Correct Answer: B. 200 mg
Rationale:
30 mg × 20 kg = 600 mg/day
600 ÷ 3 doses = 200 mg per dose
4. A patient is prescribed 75 mg of a medication every 8 hours. If each vial
contains 25 mg/mL, how many mL should be given per dose?
A. 3 mL
B. 2 mL
C. 1.5 mL
D. 0.5 mL
Correct Answer: A. 3 mL
Rationale:
75 mg ÷ 25 mg/mL = 3 mL
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5. The physician orders 1.5 g of ceftriaxone. The pharmacy supplies vials
labeled 500 mg per vial. How many vials are needed?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 1.5
Correct Answer: B. 3
Rationale:
1.5 g = 1500 mg
1500 ÷ 500 mg = 3 vials
6. A medication is ordered at 60 mg/kg/day in two doses. A child weighs 25
kg. How much medication is given per dose?
A. 500 mg
B. 600 mg
C. 750 mg
D. 1200 mg
Correct Answer: C. 750 mg
Rationale:
60 × 25 = 1500 mg/day
1500 ÷ 2 = 750 mg per dose
HESI A2 Algebra Exam Bank for
Medication Dosage & IV Flow
Mastery (2025 Edition)
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Solving for Unknowns in Medication Dosage Equations................2
Subtopic 2: Algebraic Applications in IV Flow Rate Calculations....................11
Subtopic 3: Algebraic Word Problems for Dosage Adjustments and Titrations
.......................................................................................................................20
Subtopic 4: Dimensional Analysis in Dosage Calculations.............................30
Subtopic 5: Algebraic Conversions Between Units in Nursing Dosage Math..39
Subtopic 6: Solving Equations Involving Dosage Formulas and Flow Rates...48
Subtopic 7: Proportions and Cross-Multiplication in IV and Drug Calculations
.......................................................................................................................57
Subtopic 8: Algebra in Pediatric Dosing and Body Surface Area (BSA)
Calculations...................................................................................................66
Subtopic 9: Algebra in IV Flow Rate, Drop Factor, and Time Calculations......76
Subtopic 10: Word Problems Involving Algebraic Reasoning in Dosage and
Flow Calculations...........................................................................................84
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Subtopic 1: Solving for Unknowns in
Medication Dosage Equations
1. A patient is prescribed 250 mg of a medication. The available tablet
strength is 125 mg. How many tablets should the nurse administer?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 2.5 tablets
D. 0.5 tablets
Correct Answer: B. 2 tablets
Rationale:
To determine the number of tablets:
250 mg ÷ 125 mg = 2 tablets.
This is a basic division equation to solve for the unknown number of tablets.
2. A doctor orders 0.5 g of a drug. The medication is supplied in 250 mg
tablets. How many tablets are required?
A. 1
B. 2
C. 1.5
D. 0.5
Correct Answer: B. 2
Rationale:
, 3
Convert grams to milligrams: 0.5 g = 500 mg
500 mg ÷ 250 mg = 2 tablets
3. A prescription reads: Give amoxicillin 30 mg/kg/day in 3 divided doses.
The child weighs 20 kg. What is the amount of each dose?
A. 100 mg
B. 200 mg
C. 300 mg
D. 600 mg
Correct Answer: B. 200 mg
Rationale:
30 mg × 20 kg = 600 mg/day
600 ÷ 3 doses = 200 mg per dose
4. A patient is prescribed 75 mg of a medication every 8 hours. If each vial
contains 25 mg/mL, how many mL should be given per dose?
A. 3 mL
B. 2 mL
C. 1.5 mL
D. 0.5 mL
Correct Answer: A. 3 mL
Rationale:
75 mg ÷ 25 mg/mL = 3 mL
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5. The physician orders 1.5 g of ceftriaxone. The pharmacy supplies vials
labeled 500 mg per vial. How many vials are needed?
A. 2
B. 3
C. 4
D. 1.5
Correct Answer: B. 3
Rationale:
1.5 g = 1500 mg
1500 ÷ 500 mg = 3 vials
6. A medication is ordered at 60 mg/kg/day in two doses. A child weighs 25
kg. How much medication is given per dose?
A. 500 mg
B. 600 mg
C. 750 mg
D. 1200 mg
Correct Answer: C. 750 mg
Rationale:
60 × 25 = 1500 mg/day
1500 ÷ 2 = 750 mg per dose
