Dosage Calculation Practice Exam 1: 2026/2027 Syllabus
Study Guide Principles: Always verify the unit of measure, use dimensional analysis (or
preferred method), check for clinical reasonableness, and follow medication safety
protocols (e.g., double-checking high-alert medications).
Section 1: Tablets & Capsules (Oral Solids)
1. The doctor orders aspirin 162 mg PO daily. The pharmacy supplies enteric-
coated aspirin tablets labeled 81 mg per tablet. How many tablets will you
administer?
ANSWER ✓ 2 tablets
*Calculation: (162 mg) / (81 mg/tablet) = 2 tablets.*
2. A patient is prescribed levothyroxine 0.175 mg PO every morning. The available
tablets are labeled 88 mcg. How many tablets are required for one dose?
ANSWER ✓ 2 tablets
*Calculation: Convert 0.175 mg to mcg (0.175 mg x 1000 = 175 mcg). Then, (175 mcg) /
(88 mcg/tablet) = 1.98 ≈ 2 tablets.*
3. The order is for potassium chloride 40 mEq PO daily. The bottles are labeled 20
mEq per tablet. How many tablets will you give?
ANSWER ✓ 2 tablets
*Calculation: (40 mEq) / (20 mEq/tablet) = 2 tablets.*
Section 2: Liquid Medications (Oral & Injectable)
4. Amoxicillin suspension 250 mg PO is ordered. The suspension is available as 125
mg/5 mL. How many mL will you administer?
, ANSWER ✓ 10 mL
*Calculation: (250 mg) / (125 mg/5 mL) = (250 mg) x (5 mL/125 mg) = 10 mL.*
5. The physician orders digoxin elixir 0.125 mg PO daily. The bottle is labeled 50
mcg/mL. How many mL will you give?
ANSWER ✓ 2.5 mL
*Calculation: Convert 0.125 mg to mcg (0.125 mg x 1000 = 125 mcg). Then, (125 mcg) /
(50 mcg/mL) = 2.5 mL.*
6. You need to administer morphine sulfate 4 mg subcutaneously. The vial is
labeled 10 mg/mL. How many mL will you draw into the syringe?
ANSWER ✓ 0.4 mL
*Calculation: (4 mg) / (10 mg/mL) = 0.4 mL.*
7. Administer furosemide 20 mg IV. The ampule is labeled 40 mg/4 mL. How many
mL will you give?
ANSWER ✓ 2 mL
*Calculation: (20 mg) / (40 mg/4 mL) = (20 mg) x (4 mL/40 mg) = 2 mL.*
Section 3: Intravenous Flow Rates (mL/hr & gtt/min)
8. Infuse 1000 mL of Lactated Ringer's solution over 8 hours via an infusion pump.
What is the rate in mL/hr?
ANSWER ✓ 125 mL/hr
*Calculation: (1000 mL) / (8 hr) = 125 mL/hr.*
9. Administer 250 mL of 0.9% NS over 3 hours using an infusion pump. Calculate
the rate in mL/hr.
ANSWER ✓ 83 mL/hr (or 83.3 mL/hr for precision)
*Calculation: (250 mL) / (3 hr) = 83.33 mL/hr, clinically set as 83 mL/hr.*
10. An order states: "D5W 500 mL IV over 6 hours." The administration set delivers
15 gtt/mL. What is the flow rate in gtt/min?
Study Guide Principles: Always verify the unit of measure, use dimensional analysis (or
preferred method), check for clinical reasonableness, and follow medication safety
protocols (e.g., double-checking high-alert medications).
Section 1: Tablets & Capsules (Oral Solids)
1. The doctor orders aspirin 162 mg PO daily. The pharmacy supplies enteric-
coated aspirin tablets labeled 81 mg per tablet. How many tablets will you
administer?
ANSWER ✓ 2 tablets
*Calculation: (162 mg) / (81 mg/tablet) = 2 tablets.*
2. A patient is prescribed levothyroxine 0.175 mg PO every morning. The available
tablets are labeled 88 mcg. How many tablets are required for one dose?
ANSWER ✓ 2 tablets
*Calculation: Convert 0.175 mg to mcg (0.175 mg x 1000 = 175 mcg). Then, (175 mcg) /
(88 mcg/tablet) = 1.98 ≈ 2 tablets.*
3. The order is for potassium chloride 40 mEq PO daily. The bottles are labeled 20
mEq per tablet. How many tablets will you give?
ANSWER ✓ 2 tablets
*Calculation: (40 mEq) / (20 mEq/tablet) = 2 tablets.*
Section 2: Liquid Medications (Oral & Injectable)
4. Amoxicillin suspension 250 mg PO is ordered. The suspension is available as 125
mg/5 mL. How many mL will you administer?
, ANSWER ✓ 10 mL
*Calculation: (250 mg) / (125 mg/5 mL) = (250 mg) x (5 mL/125 mg) = 10 mL.*
5. The physician orders digoxin elixir 0.125 mg PO daily. The bottle is labeled 50
mcg/mL. How many mL will you give?
ANSWER ✓ 2.5 mL
*Calculation: Convert 0.125 mg to mcg (0.125 mg x 1000 = 125 mcg). Then, (125 mcg) /
(50 mcg/mL) = 2.5 mL.*
6. You need to administer morphine sulfate 4 mg subcutaneously. The vial is
labeled 10 mg/mL. How many mL will you draw into the syringe?
ANSWER ✓ 0.4 mL
*Calculation: (4 mg) / (10 mg/mL) = 0.4 mL.*
7. Administer furosemide 20 mg IV. The ampule is labeled 40 mg/4 mL. How many
mL will you give?
ANSWER ✓ 2 mL
*Calculation: (20 mg) / (40 mg/4 mL) = (20 mg) x (4 mL/40 mg) = 2 mL.*
Section 3: Intravenous Flow Rates (mL/hr & gtt/min)
8. Infuse 1000 mL of Lactated Ringer's solution over 8 hours via an infusion pump.
What is the rate in mL/hr?
ANSWER ✓ 125 mL/hr
*Calculation: (1000 mL) / (8 hr) = 125 mL/hr.*
9. Administer 250 mL of 0.9% NS over 3 hours using an infusion pump. Calculate
the rate in mL/hr.
ANSWER ✓ 83 mL/hr (or 83.3 mL/hr for precision)
*Calculation: (250 mL) / (3 hr) = 83.33 mL/hr, clinically set as 83 mL/hr.*
10. An order states: "D5W 500 mL IV over 6 hours." The administration set delivers
15 gtt/mL. What is the flow rate in gtt/min?
