BSN HESI 215 Dosage Calculation Exam-HESI
Pharmacology Questions and Answers
A client with cardiogenic shock weighs 220 lb and is receiving dopamine at the rate of 3 mcg/kg/minute.
The solution strength available is dopamine 400 mg in 250 ml of D5W. The nurse should set the infusion
pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the
nearest tenth.) - correct answer -11.3
First, convert pounds to kg, 220 lb : X = 2.2 lb : 1 kg = 100 kg. Next, calculate the dosage per minute, 3
mcg/kg/min x 100 kg = 300 mcg/min. Convert mcg/min to mcg/hour, 300 mcg/min x 60 min=18,000
mcg/hour. Convert mcg/hr to mg/hour, 18,000 mcg/hr = 18.0 mg/hour. Calculate the rate, 400 mg : 250 ml =
18 mg : X ml 400X = 4500 X = 11.25 = 11.3 ml. So, 18 mg/11.3 ml should be infused at 11.3 ml/hour.
A client with hypertension who weighs 72.4 kg is receiving an infusion of nitroprusside (Nipride) 50 mg
in D5W 250 ml at 75 ml/hour. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value
only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.) - correct answer -3.5
Calculate the mg/hour infusing, 50 mg : 250 ml = X : 75 ml 250X = 3750 and X = 15 mg/hour. Next,
convert mg/hr to mcg/hour, 15 mg/hour = 1 mg / 1000 mcg = 15,000 mcg/hour, then divide by 60 min =
250 mcg/minute. Lastly, 250 mcg/72.4 kg/min = 3.45 = 3.5 mcg/kg/minute.
A client who weighs 70 kg is receiving a dopamine solution of 800 mg/500 ml normal saline at 5
ml/hour. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding
is required, round to the nearest tenth.) - correct answer -1.9
To change ml/hour to mcg/kg/minute, use the formula: desired rate (5 ml/hour) / volume available (500
ml) x dose available (800 mg) = 8 mg/hour. Next, convert milligrams/hour to mcg/kg/minute: mg (8)
x 1000 / kg (70) / 60 minutes = 1.904 = 1.9 mcg/kg/minute.
,BSN HESI 215 Dosage Calculation Exam,
HESI Pharmacology 2025
A client is receiving an IV solution of sodium chloride 0.9% (Normal Saline) 250 ml with amiodarone
(Cordarone) 1 gram at 17 ml/hour. How many mg/minute of amiodarone is infusing? (Enter numeric
value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.) - correct answer -Convert grams to mg,
1 gram equals 1,000 mg. Using ratio and proportion - 1,000 mg : 250 ml :: X mg : 1ml 250X= 1,000 so X =
4 mg/ml is the solution concentration of amiodarone. The infusion rate (ml/hour) x concentration
(mg/ml) divided by 60 minutes/hour 17 ml/hour x 4 mg/ml = 68/60 = 1.13 = 1.1 mg/minute.
A client who weighs 176 pounds is receiving an IV infusion with esmolol hydrochloride (Brevibloc) at
48 ml/hour. The IV solution is labeled with the concentration of Brevibloc 10 mg/ml. How many
mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value only.) - correct answer -100
Convert pounds to kg by dividing 176 pounds by 2.2 pounds = 80 kg. Convert the IV concentration
from mg to mcg. 1 mg : 1000 mcg :: 10 mg : 10,000 mcg. Infusion rate (48 ml/hour) x concentration
(10,000 mcg/ml) divided by 60 minutes/hour x 80 kg = 48 x 10,000 divided by 60 x 80 = 480,
= 100 mcg/kg/minute.
The nurse is preparing the change-of-shift report for a client who has a 265 ml secondary infusion that
was started 2 hours ago at a rate of 85 ml/hour via an infusion pump. The nurse should report that how
many ml remain to be infused by the on-coming nurse? (Enter numeric value only.) - correct answer -95
85 ml x 2 hours = 170 ml has infused. 265 ml (total amount to be infused) - 170 ml (amount infused) = 95
ml remain to be infused.
A male client receives a prescription for ondansetron hydrochloride (Zofran) 4 mg IV to prevent
postoperative nausea after an inguinal hernia repair. The medication is available in 2 mg/ml. How many
ml should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.) - correct answer -2
Use ratio and proportion, 4 mg : X ml = 2 mg : 1 ml 2X = 4 X = 2
The nurse is preparing to administer Hepatitis B Vaccine, Recombinant (Energix -B) 5 mcg IM to a school-
aged child. The vaccine is labeled, 10 mcg/ml. How many ml should the nurse administer? (Enter
numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth). - correct answer -1 or 0.5
Use ratio and proportion, 5 mcg : X ml :: 10 mcg : 1ml
,BSN HESI 215 Dosage Calculation Exam,
HESI Pharmacology 2025
10X = 5 X = 0.5 ml
A client's daily PO prescription for aripiprazole (Abilify) is increased from 15 mg to 30 mg. The
medication is available in 15 mg tablets, and the client already received one tablet today. How many
additional tablets should the nurse administer so the client receives the total newly prescribed dose for
the day? (Enter numeric value only.) - correct answer -1
30 mg (total dose) - 15 mg (dose already administered) = 15 mg that still needs to be administered.
Using the Desired/Have formula: 15 mg/15 mg = 1 tablet
At the end of the shift, the nurse is recording the fluid balance for a client receiving a continuous
gastrostomy tube (GT) feeding. Based on the client's records, how many ml should the nurse record for
the total fluid balance (intake - output) for the shift that started at 0700 and ended at 1900? (Enter
numeric value only.) (Click on each image asset for additional information.) - correct answer -695
The tube feeding is administered at 75 ml/hour for 11 hours (0700 - 1800) and then turned off for one
hour because the residual is greater than 200 ml. 11 hours x 75 ml/hr = 825 ml. Three doses of 20 ml of
medication are administered, with 10 ml of water used to flush the GT before and after each dose. 20
ml x 3 doses = 60 ml; 10 ml (flush) x 2 x 3 doses = 60 ml; so 825 ml + 60 ml + 60 ml = 945 ml. 250 ml of
residual is removed and not replaced. 945 ml - 250 ml = 695 ml total fluid balance (Intake - output).
The nurse is administering a 250 milliliter (ml) intravenous solution to be infused over 2 hours. How
many ml/hour should the nurse program the infusion pump? (Enter numeric value only.) - correct
answer -125
250 ml : 2 hours = X ml : 1 hour 250 = 2X X = 250 divided by 2 = 125 ml/hr
The nurse is preparing to administer 0.25 mg of bumetanide (Bumex) IV. The medication is available in a
vial labeled 1 mg/4 ml. How many ml of medication should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value
only.) - correct answer -1
Using the Desired/Have x Volume formula: Desired = 0.25 mg Have = 1 mg Volume = 4 ml 0.25 mg/1
mg x 4 ml = 1 ml
, BSN HESI 215 Dosage Calculation Exam,
HESI Pharmacology 2025
A client with hypertension receives a prescription for carteolol (Cartel) 7.5 mg PO daily. The drug is
available in 2.5 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
- correct answer -3
Using D/H: 7.5 mg / 2.5 mg = 3 tablets
The healthcare provider prescribes trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim-DS Oral Suspension) 120
mg BID for a child with bronchitis. The Bactrim bottle is labeled 200 mg/5ml. How many ml should
the nurse administer at each dose? (Enter numeric value only.) - correct answer -3
Using the formula D/H x Q, 120/200 x 5 = 3 ml
A 180-pound adult male is admitted to the Emergency Center after receiving thermal burns to 60
percent of his body. Using the Parkland formula of 4 ml/kg/24 hours, the client should receive how
many ml of fluid during the first 24 hours? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to
the nearest whole number.) - correct answer -19632
Using the Parkland formula, the client's fluid requirements for the first 24 hours after injury: 4 ml
lactated Ringer's solution x Body weight (in kilograms) x Percent burn. Convert 180 pounds to kg = 180
/ 2.2 = 81.8 kg 4 ml x 81.8 kg x 60 = 19632 ml over the first 24 hours.
The healthcare provider prescribes acetazolamide (Diamox) 600 mg/m2/day divided into 3 doses.
The nurse calculates the child's body surface area (BSA) as 0.7 m2. How many mg should the child
receive per dose? (Enter numeric value only.) - correct answer -140
Using the child's BSA, 0.7 m2, calculate the mg/dose, 600 mg x 0.7 m2 = 420 mg/day/3 doses =
140 mg/dose
A loading dose of acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) 8 grams, which is available as a 20% solution (200 mg
acetylcysteine per ml) is prescribed by nasogastric tube for a client with acetaminophen toxicity.
How many ml of diluent should be added to the medication to obtain a 1:4 concentration? (Enter
numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.) - correct answer -
120
Pharmacology Questions and Answers
A client with cardiogenic shock weighs 220 lb and is receiving dopamine at the rate of 3 mcg/kg/minute.
The solution strength available is dopamine 400 mg in 250 ml of D5W. The nurse should set the infusion
pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the
nearest tenth.) - correct answer -11.3
First, convert pounds to kg, 220 lb : X = 2.2 lb : 1 kg = 100 kg. Next, calculate the dosage per minute, 3
mcg/kg/min x 100 kg = 300 mcg/min. Convert mcg/min to mcg/hour, 300 mcg/min x 60 min=18,000
mcg/hour. Convert mcg/hr to mg/hour, 18,000 mcg/hr = 18.0 mg/hour. Calculate the rate, 400 mg : 250 ml =
18 mg : X ml 400X = 4500 X = 11.25 = 11.3 ml. So, 18 mg/11.3 ml should be infused at 11.3 ml/hour.
A client with hypertension who weighs 72.4 kg is receiving an infusion of nitroprusside (Nipride) 50 mg
in D5W 250 ml at 75 ml/hour. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value
only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.) - correct answer -3.5
Calculate the mg/hour infusing, 50 mg : 250 ml = X : 75 ml 250X = 3750 and X = 15 mg/hour. Next,
convert mg/hr to mcg/hour, 15 mg/hour = 1 mg / 1000 mcg = 15,000 mcg/hour, then divide by 60 min =
250 mcg/minute. Lastly, 250 mcg/72.4 kg/min = 3.45 = 3.5 mcg/kg/minute.
A client who weighs 70 kg is receiving a dopamine solution of 800 mg/500 ml normal saline at 5
ml/hour. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding
is required, round to the nearest tenth.) - correct answer -1.9
To change ml/hour to mcg/kg/minute, use the formula: desired rate (5 ml/hour) / volume available (500
ml) x dose available (800 mg) = 8 mg/hour. Next, convert milligrams/hour to mcg/kg/minute: mg (8)
x 1000 / kg (70) / 60 minutes = 1.904 = 1.9 mcg/kg/minute.
,BSN HESI 215 Dosage Calculation Exam,
HESI Pharmacology 2025
A client is receiving an IV solution of sodium chloride 0.9% (Normal Saline) 250 ml with amiodarone
(Cordarone) 1 gram at 17 ml/hour. How many mg/minute of amiodarone is infusing? (Enter numeric
value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.) - correct answer -Convert grams to mg,
1 gram equals 1,000 mg. Using ratio and proportion - 1,000 mg : 250 ml :: X mg : 1ml 250X= 1,000 so X =
4 mg/ml is the solution concentration of amiodarone. The infusion rate (ml/hour) x concentration
(mg/ml) divided by 60 minutes/hour 17 ml/hour x 4 mg/ml = 68/60 = 1.13 = 1.1 mg/minute.
A client who weighs 176 pounds is receiving an IV infusion with esmolol hydrochloride (Brevibloc) at
48 ml/hour. The IV solution is labeled with the concentration of Brevibloc 10 mg/ml. How many
mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value only.) - correct answer -100
Convert pounds to kg by dividing 176 pounds by 2.2 pounds = 80 kg. Convert the IV concentration
from mg to mcg. 1 mg : 1000 mcg :: 10 mg : 10,000 mcg. Infusion rate (48 ml/hour) x concentration
(10,000 mcg/ml) divided by 60 minutes/hour x 80 kg = 48 x 10,000 divided by 60 x 80 = 480,
= 100 mcg/kg/minute.
The nurse is preparing the change-of-shift report for a client who has a 265 ml secondary infusion that
was started 2 hours ago at a rate of 85 ml/hour via an infusion pump. The nurse should report that how
many ml remain to be infused by the on-coming nurse? (Enter numeric value only.) - correct answer -95
85 ml x 2 hours = 170 ml has infused. 265 ml (total amount to be infused) - 170 ml (amount infused) = 95
ml remain to be infused.
A male client receives a prescription for ondansetron hydrochloride (Zofran) 4 mg IV to prevent
postoperative nausea after an inguinal hernia repair. The medication is available in 2 mg/ml. How many
ml should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.) - correct answer -2
Use ratio and proportion, 4 mg : X ml = 2 mg : 1 ml 2X = 4 X = 2
The nurse is preparing to administer Hepatitis B Vaccine, Recombinant (Energix -B) 5 mcg IM to a school-
aged child. The vaccine is labeled, 10 mcg/ml. How many ml should the nurse administer? (Enter
numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth). - correct answer -1 or 0.5
Use ratio and proportion, 5 mcg : X ml :: 10 mcg : 1ml
,BSN HESI 215 Dosage Calculation Exam,
HESI Pharmacology 2025
10X = 5 X = 0.5 ml
A client's daily PO prescription for aripiprazole (Abilify) is increased from 15 mg to 30 mg. The
medication is available in 15 mg tablets, and the client already received one tablet today. How many
additional tablets should the nurse administer so the client receives the total newly prescribed dose for
the day? (Enter numeric value only.) - correct answer -1
30 mg (total dose) - 15 mg (dose already administered) = 15 mg that still needs to be administered.
Using the Desired/Have formula: 15 mg/15 mg = 1 tablet
At the end of the shift, the nurse is recording the fluid balance for a client receiving a continuous
gastrostomy tube (GT) feeding. Based on the client's records, how many ml should the nurse record for
the total fluid balance (intake - output) for the shift that started at 0700 and ended at 1900? (Enter
numeric value only.) (Click on each image asset for additional information.) - correct answer -695
The tube feeding is administered at 75 ml/hour for 11 hours (0700 - 1800) and then turned off for one
hour because the residual is greater than 200 ml. 11 hours x 75 ml/hr = 825 ml. Three doses of 20 ml of
medication are administered, with 10 ml of water used to flush the GT before and after each dose. 20
ml x 3 doses = 60 ml; 10 ml (flush) x 2 x 3 doses = 60 ml; so 825 ml + 60 ml + 60 ml = 945 ml. 250 ml of
residual is removed and not replaced. 945 ml - 250 ml = 695 ml total fluid balance (Intake - output).
The nurse is administering a 250 milliliter (ml) intravenous solution to be infused over 2 hours. How
many ml/hour should the nurse program the infusion pump? (Enter numeric value only.) - correct
answer -125
250 ml : 2 hours = X ml : 1 hour 250 = 2X X = 250 divided by 2 = 125 ml/hr
The nurse is preparing to administer 0.25 mg of bumetanide (Bumex) IV. The medication is available in a
vial labeled 1 mg/4 ml. How many ml of medication should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value
only.) - correct answer -1
Using the Desired/Have x Volume formula: Desired = 0.25 mg Have = 1 mg Volume = 4 ml 0.25 mg/1
mg x 4 ml = 1 ml
, BSN HESI 215 Dosage Calculation Exam,
HESI Pharmacology 2025
A client with hypertension receives a prescription for carteolol (Cartel) 7.5 mg PO daily. The drug is
available in 2.5 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
- correct answer -3
Using D/H: 7.5 mg / 2.5 mg = 3 tablets
The healthcare provider prescribes trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim-DS Oral Suspension) 120
mg BID for a child with bronchitis. The Bactrim bottle is labeled 200 mg/5ml. How many ml should
the nurse administer at each dose? (Enter numeric value only.) - correct answer -3
Using the formula D/H x Q, 120/200 x 5 = 3 ml
A 180-pound adult male is admitted to the Emergency Center after receiving thermal burns to 60
percent of his body. Using the Parkland formula of 4 ml/kg/24 hours, the client should receive how
many ml of fluid during the first 24 hours? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to
the nearest whole number.) - correct answer -19632
Using the Parkland formula, the client's fluid requirements for the first 24 hours after injury: 4 ml
lactated Ringer's solution x Body weight (in kilograms) x Percent burn. Convert 180 pounds to kg = 180
/ 2.2 = 81.8 kg 4 ml x 81.8 kg x 60 = 19632 ml over the first 24 hours.
The healthcare provider prescribes acetazolamide (Diamox) 600 mg/m2/day divided into 3 doses.
The nurse calculates the child's body surface area (BSA) as 0.7 m2. How many mg should the child
receive per dose? (Enter numeric value only.) - correct answer -140
Using the child's BSA, 0.7 m2, calculate the mg/dose, 600 mg x 0.7 m2 = 420 mg/day/3 doses =
140 mg/dose
A loading dose of acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) 8 grams, which is available as a 20% solution (200 mg
acetylcysteine per ml) is prescribed by nasogastric tube for a client with acetaminophen toxicity.
How many ml of diluent should be added to the medication to obtain a 1:4 concentration? (Enter
numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.) - correct answer -
120
