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HESI DOSAGE PRACTICE EXAM CALCULATIONS
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (2026).
1. 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.) - ANSWERS-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.
2. 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.) -
ANSWERS-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.
3. 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.) - ANSWERS-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.
4. A client is receiving an IV solution of sodium chloride 0.9% (Normal Saline) 250 ml with
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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.) -
ANSWERS-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.
BRAINSCAPE1
HESI DOSAGE PRACTICE EXAM CALCULATIONS
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS (2026).
1. 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.) - ANSWERS-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.
2. 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.) -
ANSWERS-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.
3. 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.) - ANSWERS-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.
4. A client is receiving an IV solution of sodium chloride 0.9% (Normal Saline) 250 ml with
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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.) -
ANSWERS-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.
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