Dosage Calculation — Adult Med-Surg Practice Guide
DOSAGE CALCULATION
Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing
Original Practice Question Bank & Rationale Guide
150+ Original Practice Questions with Step-by-Step Rationales
Covers: Oral & Liquid Dosing • Parenteral Dosing • IV Flow Rates (mL/hr & gtt/min)
Weight-Based Dosing • Critical Care Titration • Heparin Protocols • Insulin
Prepared for RN Exam & Course Review Preparation
Original content created for independent study. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reproducing material from ATI Nursing Education, NCLEX, or any
other testing organization.
1
, Dosage Calculation — Adult Med-Surg Practice Guide
How to Use This Guide
This guide contains 150 original dosage calculation practice problems, grouped into 10 content sections that mirror the major
dosage-calculation competency areas tested in adult medical-surgical nursing courses and licensure preparation.
Each question is immediately followed by the correct answer and a full step-by-step rationale showing the formula and math
used, so you can check your work and understand the reasoning, not just memorize a number.
Recommended approach:
1. Cover the answer/rationale and attempt the calculation independently, showing your own work.
2. Check your answer, then read the rationale even if you got it right — confirm your method matches.
3. Flag any problem type you miss and re-work similar problems in that section before moving on.
4. Keep a formula reference sheet (Appendix, end of document) nearby while practicing.
2
, Dosage Calculation — Adult Med-Surg Practice Guide
Table of Contents
Section 1: Oral Tablet & Capsule Dosage Calculations 18 questions
Section 2: Oral Liquid & Suspension Dosage Calculations 18 questions
Section 3: Parenteral (IM/SubQ) Dosage Calculations 16 questions
Section 4: IV Flow Rate Calculations (mL/hr, Electronic Pump) 16 questions
Section 5: IV Flow Rate Calculations (gtt/min, Gravity Infusion) 16 questions
Section 6: Weight-Based (mg/kg) Dosage Calculations 16 questions
Section 7: Critical Care Titration (mcg/kg/min) Calculations 16 questions
Section 8: Weight-Based Heparin Protocol Calculations 12 questions
Section 9: Insulin Dosage & Sliding-Scale Calculations 10 questions
Section 10: Reconstitution & Mixed Dimensional Analysis 12 questions
Appendix: Key Formula Reference
3
, Dosage Calculation — Adult Med-Surg Practice Guide
Section 1: Oral Tablet & Capsule Dosage Calculations
Q1. The provider orders Lisinopril 10 mg PO once daily. The pharmacy supplies Lisinopril 5 mg tablets. How many tablet(s)
should the nurse administer per dose?
Answer: 2 tablet(s)
Rationale: Desired/Have × Quantity = 10 mg ÷ 5 mg × 1 tablet = 2 tablet(s). Confirm the tablet is scored if a half-
tablet is required before splitting.
Q2. The provider orders Furosemide 40 mg PO once daily. The pharmacy supplies Furosemide 20 mg tablets. How many
tablet(s) should the nurse administer per dose?
Answer: 2 tablet(s)
Rationale: Desired/Have × Quantity = 40 mg ÷ 20 mg × 1 tablet = 2 tablet(s). Confirm the tablet is scored if a half-
tablet is required before splitting.
Q3. The provider orders Metoprolol tartrate 75 mg PO once daily. The pharmacy supplies Metoprolol tartrate 25 mg tablets.
How many tablet(s) should the nurse administer per dose?
Answer: 3 tablet(s)
Rationale: Desired/Have × Quantity = 75 mg ÷ 25 mg × 1 tablet = 3 tablet(s). Confirm the tablet is scored if a half-
tablet is required before splitting.
Q4. The provider orders Levothyroxine 100 mcg PO once daily. The pharmacy supplies Levothyroxine 50 mcg tablets. How
many tablet(s) should the nurse administer per dose?
Answer: 2 tablet(s)
Rationale: Desired/Have × Quantity = 100 mcg ÷ 50 mcg × 1 tablet = 2 tablet(s). Confirm the tablet is scored if a half-
tablet is required before splitting.
Q5. The provider orders Digoxin 250 mcg PO once daily. The pharmacy supplies Digoxin 125 mcg tablets. How many
tablet(s) should the nurse administer per dose?
Answer: 2 tablet(s)
Rationale: Desired/Have × Quantity = 250 mcg ÷ 125 mcg × 1 tablet = 2 tablet(s). Confirm the tablet is scored if a
half-tablet is required before splitting.
Q6. The provider orders Prednisone 15 mg PO once daily. The pharmacy supplies Prednisone 5 mg tablets. How many
tablet(s) should the nurse administer per dose?
Answer: 3 tablet(s)
Rationale: Desired/Have × Quantity = 15 mg ÷ 5 mg × 1 tablet = 3 tablet(s). Confirm the tablet is scored if a half-
tablet is required before splitting.
Q7. The provider orders Metformin 1000 mg PO once daily. The pharmacy supplies Metformin 500 mg tablets. How many
tablet(s) should the nurse administer per dose?
Answer: 2 tablet(s)
Rationale: Desired/Have × Quantity = 1000 mg ÷ 500 mg × 1 tablet = 2 tablet(s). Confirm the tablet is scored if a half-
4
DOSAGE CALCULATION
Adult Medical-Surgical Nursing
Original Practice Question Bank & Rationale Guide
150+ Original Practice Questions with Step-by-Step Rationales
Covers: Oral & Liquid Dosing • Parenteral Dosing • IV Flow Rates (mL/hr & gtt/min)
Weight-Based Dosing • Critical Care Titration • Heparin Protocols • Insulin
Prepared for RN Exam & Course Review Preparation
Original content created for independent study. Not affiliated with, endorsed by, or reproducing material from ATI Nursing Education, NCLEX, or any
other testing organization.
1
, Dosage Calculation — Adult Med-Surg Practice Guide
How to Use This Guide
This guide contains 150 original dosage calculation practice problems, grouped into 10 content sections that mirror the major
dosage-calculation competency areas tested in adult medical-surgical nursing courses and licensure preparation.
Each question is immediately followed by the correct answer and a full step-by-step rationale showing the formula and math
used, so you can check your work and understand the reasoning, not just memorize a number.
Recommended approach:
1. Cover the answer/rationale and attempt the calculation independently, showing your own work.
2. Check your answer, then read the rationale even if you got it right — confirm your method matches.
3. Flag any problem type you miss and re-work similar problems in that section before moving on.
4. Keep a formula reference sheet (Appendix, end of document) nearby while practicing.
2
, Dosage Calculation — Adult Med-Surg Practice Guide
Table of Contents
Section 1: Oral Tablet & Capsule Dosage Calculations 18 questions
Section 2: Oral Liquid & Suspension Dosage Calculations 18 questions
Section 3: Parenteral (IM/SubQ) Dosage Calculations 16 questions
Section 4: IV Flow Rate Calculations (mL/hr, Electronic Pump) 16 questions
Section 5: IV Flow Rate Calculations (gtt/min, Gravity Infusion) 16 questions
Section 6: Weight-Based (mg/kg) Dosage Calculations 16 questions
Section 7: Critical Care Titration (mcg/kg/min) Calculations 16 questions
Section 8: Weight-Based Heparin Protocol Calculations 12 questions
Section 9: Insulin Dosage & Sliding-Scale Calculations 10 questions
Section 10: Reconstitution & Mixed Dimensional Analysis 12 questions
Appendix: Key Formula Reference
3
, Dosage Calculation — Adult Med-Surg Practice Guide
Section 1: Oral Tablet & Capsule Dosage Calculations
Q1. The provider orders Lisinopril 10 mg PO once daily. The pharmacy supplies Lisinopril 5 mg tablets. How many tablet(s)
should the nurse administer per dose?
Answer: 2 tablet(s)
Rationale: Desired/Have × Quantity = 10 mg ÷ 5 mg × 1 tablet = 2 tablet(s). Confirm the tablet is scored if a half-
tablet is required before splitting.
Q2. The provider orders Furosemide 40 mg PO once daily. The pharmacy supplies Furosemide 20 mg tablets. How many
tablet(s) should the nurse administer per dose?
Answer: 2 tablet(s)
Rationale: Desired/Have × Quantity = 40 mg ÷ 20 mg × 1 tablet = 2 tablet(s). Confirm the tablet is scored if a half-
tablet is required before splitting.
Q3. The provider orders Metoprolol tartrate 75 mg PO once daily. The pharmacy supplies Metoprolol tartrate 25 mg tablets.
How many tablet(s) should the nurse administer per dose?
Answer: 3 tablet(s)
Rationale: Desired/Have × Quantity = 75 mg ÷ 25 mg × 1 tablet = 3 tablet(s). Confirm the tablet is scored if a half-
tablet is required before splitting.
Q4. The provider orders Levothyroxine 100 mcg PO once daily. The pharmacy supplies Levothyroxine 50 mcg tablets. How
many tablet(s) should the nurse administer per dose?
Answer: 2 tablet(s)
Rationale: Desired/Have × Quantity = 100 mcg ÷ 50 mcg × 1 tablet = 2 tablet(s). Confirm the tablet is scored if a half-
tablet is required before splitting.
Q5. The provider orders Digoxin 250 mcg PO once daily. The pharmacy supplies Digoxin 125 mcg tablets. How many
tablet(s) should the nurse administer per dose?
Answer: 2 tablet(s)
Rationale: Desired/Have × Quantity = 250 mcg ÷ 125 mcg × 1 tablet = 2 tablet(s). Confirm the tablet is scored if a
half-tablet is required before splitting.
Q6. The provider orders Prednisone 15 mg PO once daily. The pharmacy supplies Prednisone 5 mg tablets. How many
tablet(s) should the nurse administer per dose?
Answer: 3 tablet(s)
Rationale: Desired/Have × Quantity = 15 mg ÷ 5 mg × 1 tablet = 3 tablet(s). Confirm the tablet is scored if a half-
tablet is required before splitting.
Q7. The provider orders Metformin 1000 mg PO once daily. The pharmacy supplies Metformin 500 mg tablets. How many
tablet(s) should the nurse administer per dose?
Answer: 2 tablet(s)
Rationale: Desired/Have × Quantity = 1000 mg ÷ 500 mg × 1 tablet = 2 tablet(s). Confirm the tablet is scored if a half-
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