Medication Dosage Calculations, Exams of Nursing

A series of medication dosage calculation problems and step-by-step solutions using the ratio and proportion method. The problems cover a variety of medication forms, units of measurement, and patient parameters. The document aims to help nurses and healthcare professionals develop their skills in accurately calculating and administering medication doses to ensure patient safety. The step-by-step approach demonstrates how to set up equations, convert units, and determine the appropriate amount to administer based on the given information. By working through these examples, readers can enhance their understanding of medication dosage calculations and apply these principles in their clinical practice.

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Dosage Calculation RN Fundamentals
Online Practice Assessment 3.0 -with 100%
verified solutions 20240-2025 | Rated A+
A nurse is preparing to administer codeine 20 mg PO every 6 hr PRN pain. Available is codeine oral
solution 10 mg/ 5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?
(Round to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
Answer: 10 mL
Follow these steps for the Ratio and Proportion method of calculation:
Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mL
Step 2: What is the dose the nurse should administer? Dose to administer = Desired 20 mg
Step 3: What is the dose available? Dose available = Have 10 mg
Step 4: Should the nurse convert the units of measurement? No
Step 5: What is the quantity of the dose available? 5 mL
Step 6: Set up an equation and solve for X.
Have/Quantity = Desired/X
10 mg/ 5 mL = 20 mg/ X mL
X mL = 10 mL
Step 7: Round if necessary.
Step 8: Determine whether the amount to administer makes sense. If there are 10 mg/5 mL and the
prescription reads 20 mg, it makes sense to administer 10 mL. The nurse should administer codeine
oral solution 10 mL PO every 6 hr PRN pain.
A nurse is preparing to administer eszopiclone 2,000 mcg PO to a client. How many mg should the
nurse administer?
(Round to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
Answer: 2 mg
Follow these steps for the Ratio and Proportion method of calculation:
Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mg
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Dosage Calculation RN Fundamentals

Online Practice Assessment 3.0 - with 100%

verified solutions 20240 - 202 5 | Rated A+

A nurse is preparing to administer codeine 20 mg PO every 6 hr PRN pain. Available is codeine oral solution 10 mg/ 5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: 10 mL Follow these steps for the Ratio and Proportion method of calculation: Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mL Step 2: What is the dose the nurse should administer? Dose to administer = Desired 20 mg Step 3: What is the dose available? Dose available = Have 10 mg Step 4: Should the nurse convert the units of measurement? No Step 5: What is the quantity of the dose available? 5 mL Step 6: Set up an equation and solve for X. Have/Quantity = Desired/X 10 mg/ 5 mL = 20 mg/ X mL X mL = 10 mL Step 7: Round if necessary. Step 8: Determine whether the amount to administer makes sense. If there are 10 mg/5 mL and the prescription reads 20 mg, it makes sense to administer 10 mL. The nurse should administer codeine oral solution 10 mL PO every 6 hr PRN pain. A nurse is preparing to administer eszopiclone 2,000 mcg PO to a client. How many mg should the nurse administer? (Round to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: 2 mg Follow these steps for the Ratio and Proportion method of calculation: Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mg

Step 2: What is the dose the nurse should administer? Dose to administer = Desired 2,000 mcg Step 3: What is the dose available? Dose available = Have 1 mg Step 4: Should the nurse convert the units of measurement? Yes (mcg does not equal mg) 1,000 mcg/1 mg = 2,000 mcg/X mg X mg = 2 mg Step 5: Round if necessary. Step 6: Determine whether the amount to administer makes sense. If the prescription reads 2, mcg and 1,000 mcg equals 1 mg, it makes sense to administer 2 mg. The nurse should administer eszopiclone 2 mg PO. A nurse is preparing to administer tobramycin 4 mg/kg/day IM divided in three equal doses to a patient who weighs 60 kg. Available is tobramycin 40 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: 2 mL Follow these steps for the Ratio and Proportion method of calculation: Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mg Step 2: Set up an equation and solve for X. X = Dose per kg × Client's weight in kg X mg = 4 mg/kg × 60 kg X mg = 240 mg The dose is divided into three equal doses; therefore, divide X by 3. 240 mg = 80 mg Step 3: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mL Step 4: What is the dose the nurse should administer? Dose to administer = Desired 80 mg Step 5: What is the dose available? Dose available = Have 40 mg Step 6: Should the nurse convert the units of measurement? No Step 7: What is the quantity of the dose available? 1 mL Step 8: Set up an equation and solve for X. Have/Quantity = Desired/X 40 mg/1 mL = 80 mg/X mL X mL = 2 mL

Step 4: Should the nurse convert the units of measurement? No Step 5: What is the quantity of the dose available? 1 tablet Step 6: Set up an equation and solve for X. Have/Quantity = Desired/X 20 mg/ 1 tablet = 40 mg/X tablet(s) X tablet(s) = 2 tablets Step 7: Round if necessary. Step 8: Determine whether the amount to administer makes sense. If there are 20 mg/tablet and the prescription reads 40 mg, it makes sense to administer 2 tablets. The nurse should administer famotidine 2 tablets PO at bedtime. A nurse is preparing to administer morphine 4 mg IM. Available is morphine injection 10 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round answer to nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: 0.4 mL Follow these steps for the Ratio and Proportion method of calculation: Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mL Step 2: What is the dose the nurse should administer? Dose to administer = Desired 4 mg Step 3: What is the dose available? Dose available = Have 10 mg Step 4: Should the nurse convert the units of measurement? No Step 5: What is the quantity of the dose available? 1 mL Step 6: Set up an equation and solve for X. Have/Quantity = Desired/X 10 mg / 1 mL =4 mg /X mL X mL = 0.4 mL Step 7: Round if necessary. Step 8: Determine whether the amount to administer makes sense. If there are 10 mg/mL and the prescription reads 4 mg, it makes sense to administer 0.4 mL. The nurse should administer morphine 0.4 mL IM. A nurse is preparing to administer 750,000 units of procaine penicillin G IM. Available is procaine penicillin G injection 600,000 units/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose?

(Round answer to nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: 1.3 mL Follow these steps for the Ratio and Proportion method of calculation: Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mL Step 2: What is the dose the nurse should administer? Dose to administer = Desired 750,000 units Step 3: What is the dose available? Dose available = Have 600,000 units Step 4: Should the nurse convert the units of measurement? No Step 5: What is the quantity of the dose available? 1 mL Step 6: Set up an equation and solve for X. Have/ Quantity= Desired /X 600,000 units/1 mL = 750,000 units/X mL X mL = 1.25 mL Step 7: Round if necessary. 1.25 mL = 1.3 mL Step 8: Determine whether the amount to administer makes sense. If there are 600,000 units/mL and the prescription reads 750,000 units, it makes sense to administer 1.3 mL. The nurse should administer procaine penicillin G 1.3 mL IM. A nurse is preparing to administer lorazepam 0.05 mg/kg IM 2 hours prior to surgery to a patient who weighs 138 lb. Available is lorazepam injection 2 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round answer to nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: 1.6 mL Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? kg Step 2: Set up an equation and solve for X. 2.2 lb/ 1 kg = Client's weight in lb/X kg 2.2 lb/1 kg = 138 lb/X kg X kg = 62.727272 kg Step 3: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mg Step 4: Set up an equation and solve for X. X = Dose per kg × Client's weight in kg X mg = 0.05 mg/kg × 62.727272 kg

Have/Quantity = Desired/X 5 mg/1 mL = 3.5 mg/ X mL X mL = 0.7 mL Step 9: Round if necessary. Step 10: Determine whether the amount to administer makes sense. If there are 5 mg/mL and the prescription reads 0.07 mg/kg, it makes sense to administer 0.7 mL. The nurse should administer midazolam 0.7 mL IM. A nurse is preparing to administer phenytoin 100 mg PO every 8 hours. Available is phenytoin suspension 125 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round to nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: 4 mL Follow these steps for the Ratio and Proportion method of calculation: Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mL Step 2: What is the dose the nurse should administer? Dose to administer = Desired 100 mg Step 3: What is the dose available? Dose available = Have 125 mg Step 4: Should the nurse convert the units of measurement? No Step 5: What is the quantity of the dose available? 5 mL Step 6: Set up an equation and solve for X. Have/Quantity = Desired/X 125 mg/ 5 mL = 100 mg/X mL X mL = 4 mL Step 7: Round if necessary. Step 8: Determine whether the amount to administer makes sense. If there are 125 mg/5 mL and the prescription reads 100 mg, it makes sense to administer 4 mL. The nurse should administer phenytoin 4 mL PO every 8 hr. A nurse is preparing to administer phenobarbital 6mg/kg/day PO divided in equal doses every 12 hours to a patient who weighs 44 lb. Available is phenobarbital elixir 20 mg/5 mL. The nurse should administer how many mL per dose?

(Round to nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: 15 mL Follow these steps for the Ratio and Proportion method of calculation: Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? kg Step 2: Set up an equation and solve for X. 2.2 lb/ 1 kg = Client's weight in lb/X kg 2.2 lb/ 1 kg = 44 lb/ X kg X kg = 20 kg Step 3: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mg Step 4: Set up an equation and solve for X. X = Dose per kg × Client's weight in kg X mg = 6 mg/kg × 20 kg X mg = 120 mg The dose is divided equally every 12 hours; therefore, divide X by 2. 120 mg = 60 mg Step 5: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mL Step 6: What is the dose the nurse should administer? Dose to administer = Desired 60 mg Step 7: What is the dose available? Dose available = Have 20 mg Step 8: Should the nurse convert the units of measurement? No Step 9: What is the quantity of the dose available? 5 mL Step 10: Set up an equation and solve for X. Have/Quantity = Desired/X 20 mg/ 5 mL = 60 mg/ X mL X mL = 15 mL Step 11: Round if necessary. Step 12: Determine whether the amount to administer makes sense. If there are 20 mg/5 mL and the prescription reads 6 mg/kg/day, it makes sense to administer 15 mL. The nurse should administer phenobarbital elixir 15 mL PO every 12 hr.

Have/Quantity = Desired/X 20 mg/ 1 tablet = 50 mg / X tablet(s) X tablet(s) = 2.5 tablets Step 7: Round if necessary. Step 8: Determine whether the amount to administer makes sense. If there are 20 mg/tablet and the prescription reads 50 mg, it makes sense to administer 2.5 tablets. The nurse should administer prednisone 2.5 tablets PO. A nurse is preparing to teach a caregiver about phenytoin oral suspension. Which of the following information should the nurse include in the teaching? (Brand Name: Phenytoin; Oral Suspension USP; 100 mg/4 mL; SHAKE WELL BEFORE USING; Store below 30 C (86 F); Protect from light; Delivers 4 mL) A. Keep med in well-lit area B. The total amount in a unit dose container is 100 mL C. Store the med in a cool area D. Roll the unit dose container gently before administering C. Store the med in a cool area Explanation: The nurse should instruct the caregiver that the medication is sensitive to temperatures and should be stored at temperatures below 30° C (86° F). A nurse is preparing to administer phenytoin 200 mg PO. Available is phenytoin oral suspension 125 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round to nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: mL Follow these steps for the Ratio and Proportion method of calculation: Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mL

Step 2: What is the dose the nurse should administer? Dose to administer = Desired 200 mg Step 3: What is the dose available? Dose available = Have 125 mg Step 4: Should the nurse convert the units of measurement? No Step 5: What is the quantity of the dose available? 5 mL Step 6: Set up an equation and solve for X. Have/Quantity = Desired/X 125 mg/ 5 mL = 200 mg /X mL X mL = 8 mL Step 7: Round if necessary. Step 8: Determine whether the amount to administer makes sense. If there are 125 mg/5 mL and the prescription reads 200 mg, it makes sense to administer 8 mL. The nurse should administer phenytoin 8 mL PO. A nurse is caring for a patient who weighs 128 lb. What is the patient's weight in kg? (Round to nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: 58.2 kg Follow these steps for the Ratio and Proportion method of calculation: Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? kg Step 2: Set up an equation and solve for X. 2.2 lb/ 1 kg = Client's weight in lb /X kg 2.2 lb/ 1 kg = 128 lb / X kg X kg = 58.181818 kg Step 3: Round if necessary. 58.181818 kg = 58.2 kg Step 4: Determine whether the weight conversion makes sense. If the client weighs 128 lb and 2.2 lb equals 1 kg, it makes sense that the client weighs 58.2 kg. A nurse is reviewing a patient's prescriptions. The nurse should contact the provider to clarify which of the following prescriptions?

A nurse is preparing to administer codeine 20 mL oral solution to a patient. How many tsp should the nurse administer? (Round answer to nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: 4 tsp Follow these steps for the Ratio and Proportion method of calculation: Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? tsp Step 2: What is the dose the nurse should administer? Dose to administer = Desired 20 mL Step 3: What is the dose available? Dose available = Have 1 tsp Step 4: Should the nurse convert the units of measurement? Yes (mL does not equal tsp) 5 mL / 1 tsp = 20 mL / X tsp X tsp = 4 tsp Step 5: Round if necessary. Step 6: Determine whether the amount to administer makes sense. If the prescription reads 20 mL and 5 mL equals 1 tsp, it makes sense to administer 4 tsp. The nurse should administer codeine oral solution 4 tsp PO. A nurse is reviewing new prescriptions for a patient who was just admitted. For which of the following prescriptions should the nurse obtain further clarification from the provider? A. Desvenlafaxine 50 mg PO qd B. Ketorolac nasal spray 1 spray in each nostril every 6 hours PRN moderate pain C. Oxycodone 10 mg PO every 4 hours PRN severe pain D. Regular insulin 35 units subcut 30 min ac A. Desvenlafaxine 50 mg PO qd Explanation: The nurse should identify that certain abbreviations can be misinterpreted and can result in medication errors. The abbreviation "qd" (daily) can be misinterpreted as "qid" (four times daily), which could result in improper medication administration and potential medication toxicity. The nurse should clarify the prescription with the provider.

A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide 20 mg IM. Available is furosemide injection 10 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round answer to nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: 2 mL Follow these steps for the Ratio and Proportion method of calculation: Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mL Step 2: What is the dose the nurse should administer? Dose to administer = Desired 20 mg Step 3: What is the dose available? Dose available = Have 10 mg Step 4: Should the nurse convert the units of measurement? No Step 5: What is the quantity of the dose available? 1 mL Step 6: Set up an equation and solve for X. Have/Quantity = Desired/X 10 mg/ 1 mL = 20 mg / X mL X mL = 2 mL Step 7: Round if necessary. Step 8: Determine whether the amount to administer makes sense. If there are 10 mg/mL and the prescription reads 20 mg, it makes sense to administer 2 mL. The nurse should administer furosemide 2 mL IM. A nurse is preparing to administer haloperidol lactate 3 mg IM to a patient. Available is haloperidol injection 5 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round answer to nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: 0.6 mL Follow these steps for the Ratio and Proportion method of calculation: Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mL

X mL = 3.030303 mL Step 7: Round if necessary. 3.030303 mL = 3 mL Step 8: Determine whether the amount to administer makes sense. If there are 330 mg/mL and the prescription reads 1 g, it makes sense to administer 3 mL. The nurse should administer cefazolin 3 mL IM. A nurse is preparing a label for amoxicillin oral suspension that was just reconstituted. The nurse should document on the label that the medication should be discarded how many days following reconstitution? (Picture of Amoxicillin label: Front: Brand name, Amoxicillin for oral suspension, 400 mg/5mL, 75 mL (when reconstituted), when reconstituted: each 5 mL contains: Amoxicillin as the trihydrate 400mg) back: Usual dosage: administer every 12 hours. net contents: Equivalent of 6 grams of amoxicillin). Directions for mixing: tap bottle until all powder flows freely; Add aproximately 1/3 total amount of water for reconstitution (total=51 mL); shake vigorously to wet powder; each 5 mL contains: Amoxicillin 400mg. Keep tightly closed. Shake well before using. Rerigeration is preferable but not required. Discard suspension after 14 days.) Answer: 14 days Explanation: According to the medication label, the amoxicillin oral suspension should be discarded 14 days following reconstitution to reduce the risk of injury to the client. A nurse is preparing to administer cefaclor 500 mg PO every 12 hours. Available is cefaclor oral suspension 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round answer to nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) Answer: 10 mL Follow these steps for the Ratio and Proportion method of calculation: Step 1: What is the unit of measurement the nurse should calculate? mL

Step 2: What is the dose the nurse should administer? Dose to administer = Desired 500 mg Step 3: What is the dose available? Dose available = Have 250 mg Step 4: Should the nurse convert the units of measurement? No Step 5: What is the quantity of the dose available? 5 mL Step 6: Set up an equation and solve for X. Have/Quantity = Desired/X 250 mg /5 mL = 500 mg / X mL X mL = 10 mL Step 7: Round if necessary. Step 8: Determine whether the amount to administer makes sense. If there are 250 mg/5 mL and the prescription reads 500 mg, it makes sense to administer 10 mL. The nurse should administer cefaclor oral suspension 10 mL PO every 12 hr. Always remember to add to your answer. labels When do you round numbers? at the end of the problem Unless otherwise instructed, round a number greater than 1 to the nearest. tenth Unless otherwise instructed, round a number less than 1 to the nearest. hundredth mL/hr has to be rounded to the nearest. tenth

30 mL 1 L= mL 1000 mL 1 tsp = mL 5 mL 1 tbsp= mL 15 mL 1 tbsp= tsp 3 tsp 1 kg= lb 2.2 lb Total intake:75% 8 oz. broth, 25% 16 oz. Pepsi, 90% 9 oz. Ensure, 100% 6 oz. coffee, 6 mL ice chips, 3.5 L fluid bolus. Calculate in mL. 4,323 mL 4,323 mL Total intake:50% 18 oz. Ensure, 100% 20 oz. juice, 500 mL ice chips, 1.5 L bolus, 15% 4 oz. juice. Calculate in mL. 2,638 mL

Total intake:75% 4 oz. Boost, 50% 8 oz. juice, 350 mL ice chips, 1.4 L fluid bolus, 25% 6 oz. coffee. Calculate in mL. 2,280 mL Doctor's order says: 300 mL of normal saline to infuse over 6 hrs. What is the hourly rate in mL/hr? 50 mL/hr Doctor's order says: 2 L of D5W half normal saline to infuse over 48 hrs. What is the hourly rate in mL/hr? (nearest tenth) 41.7 mL/hr Doctor's order says: 0.8 L of normal saline to infuse over 45 mins. What is hourly rate in mL/hr? (nearest whole number) 920 mL/hr Doctor's order says: 250 mL of vancomyin to infuse over 45 mins. What is the hourly rate in mL/hr? (nearest whole number) 288 mL/hr