BSN HESI 215 DOSAGE CALCULATION
EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
ACCURATE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED SOLUTIONS ||
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<NEWEST VERSION>
NIGHTINGALE
1. What is the first step in the HESI dosage calculation process? - ANSWER
✔ Read the question carefully and identify patient info, ordered dose,
medication on hand, and units.
2. What should you do if the units do not match in a dosage calculation? -
ANSWER ✔ Convert the units to ensure they match before calculating.
3. How many milligrams are in one gram? - ANSWER ✔ 1 g = 1000 mg
4. How do you convert pounds to kilograms? - ANSWER ✔ 1 kg = 2.2 lb;
divide the weight in pounds by 2.2.
5. What formula is used to calculate the number of tablets to give? - ANSWER
✔ # of tablets to give = Desired dose / Dose on hand per tablet.
6. If the order is 500 mg and the medication on hand is 250 mg/tablet, how
many tablets should be given? - ANSWER ✔ 2 tablets (500 ÷ 250 = 2).
7. What formula is used for liquid medications? - ANSWER ✔ mL to give =
Desired dose / Concentration (mg/mL).
8. If the order is 150 mg and the concentration is 50 mg/mL, how many mL
should be given? - ANSWER ✔ 3 mL (150 ÷ 50 = 3).
,9. What is the formula for calculating a weight-based dose? - ANSWER ✔
Dose = Patient weight (kg) × Dose per kg.
10.If a patient weighs 50 kg and the order is 10 mg/kg, what is the total dose? -
ANSWER ✔ 500 mg (50 × 10 = 500 mg).
11.What should you check after calculating the dose? - ANSWER ✔ Check if
you need to convert or calculate mL/pills based on what's on hand
12.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.) - 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.
3(100kg) =300
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
= 400 mg 18 mg
_____________ = ___________
, 250mL x mL
=400X = 4500
X = 11.25
= 11.3 ml.
So, 18 mg/11.3 ml should be infused at 11.3 ml/hour.
13.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.) - 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.
14.A client who has a sinus infection is receiving a prescription for
amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium (Augmentin) 500 mg PO q8 hours. The
available form is 250 mg amoxicillin/125mg clavulanate tablets. How many
tablets should the nurse administer for each dose? (Enter numeric value
only.) - ANSWER 2
Using Desired/Available formula: 500 mg/250 mg x 1 tablet = 2
15.A client who has been NPO for 3 days is receiving an infusion of Dextrose
5% in 0.45% Sodium chloride (D51/2 NS) with potassium chloride (KCl) 20
mEq at 83 ml/hour. The client's 8-hour urine output is 400 ml, blood urea
nitrogen (BUN) is 15 mg/dl (5.355 mmol/L), lungs are clear bilaterally,
serum glucose is 110 mg/dl ( 6.1 mmol/L), and serum potassium is 3.7
, mEq/L (3.7 mmol/L). Which action should the nurse implement? -
ANSWER ✔ Document in the medical record that these normal findings
are expected outcomes. The results are all within normal range (BUN 10 to
20 mg/dl or 3.6-7.1 mmol/L (SI units), serum glucose 70 to 110 mg/dl or
less than 6.1 mmol/L (SI), and serum potassium 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L or 3.5-5.0
mmol/L (SI units). The other actions are not indicated.
16.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.) - ANSWER
✔ 95
17.A child who is scheduled for a kidney transplant receives a prescription for
basiliximab (Simulect) 20 mg IV 2 hours prior to surgery. The medication is
available in a 20 mg vial that is reconstituted by adding 5 ml sterile water for
injection, and administered as a secondary infusion of normal saline 50 ml to
be infused over 30 minutes. The nurse should program the infusion pump to
deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter the numeric value only as a whole
number.) - ANSWER ✔ 110
18.A client with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is receiving an
infusion of 5 % dextrose in water (D5W)with amikacin (Amikin) 0.572
grams/100 ml every 12 hours. The nurse prepares the dose of amikacin using
a vial labeled, " 250 mg/ml." How many ml should the nurse add to the
infusion? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the
nearest tenth.) - ANSWER ✔ 2.3
19.A client with septic shock receives a prescription for dDextrose 5% in Water
(D5W) 250 ml with dopamine (Intropin) 0.6 grams/250 ml at a rate of 5
mcg/kg/minute. The client's weight is 148 pounds 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 whole number.) - ANSWER ✔ 8
20.The healthcare provider prescribes a secondary infusion of Dextrose 5% in
Water (D5W) 50 mg IV with magnesium sulfate 4 gram/50 mI to be infused
over 30 minutes for a client with preeclampsia. The nurse should program
the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only.
EXAM STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
ACCURATE QUESTIONS WITH CORRECT
DETAILED SOLUTIONS ||
100% GUARANTEED PASS
<NEWEST VERSION>
NIGHTINGALE
1. What is the first step in the HESI dosage calculation process? - ANSWER
✔ Read the question carefully and identify patient info, ordered dose,
medication on hand, and units.
2. What should you do if the units do not match in a dosage calculation? -
ANSWER ✔ Convert the units to ensure they match before calculating.
3. How many milligrams are in one gram? - ANSWER ✔ 1 g = 1000 mg
4. How do you convert pounds to kilograms? - ANSWER ✔ 1 kg = 2.2 lb;
divide the weight in pounds by 2.2.
5. What formula is used to calculate the number of tablets to give? - ANSWER
✔ # of tablets to give = Desired dose / Dose on hand per tablet.
6. If the order is 500 mg and the medication on hand is 250 mg/tablet, how
many tablets should be given? - ANSWER ✔ 2 tablets (500 ÷ 250 = 2).
7. What formula is used for liquid medications? - ANSWER ✔ mL to give =
Desired dose / Concentration (mg/mL).
8. If the order is 150 mg and the concentration is 50 mg/mL, how many mL
should be given? - ANSWER ✔ 3 mL (150 ÷ 50 = 3).
,9. What is the formula for calculating a weight-based dose? - ANSWER ✔
Dose = Patient weight (kg) × Dose per kg.
10.If a patient weighs 50 kg and the order is 10 mg/kg, what is the total dose? -
ANSWER ✔ 500 mg (50 × 10 = 500 mg).
11.What should you check after calculating the dose? - ANSWER ✔ Check if
you need to convert or calculate mL/pills based on what's on hand
12.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.) - 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.
3(100kg) =300
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
= 400 mg 18 mg
_____________ = ___________
, 250mL x mL
=400X = 4500
X = 11.25
= 11.3 ml.
So, 18 mg/11.3 ml should be infused at 11.3 ml/hour.
13.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.) - 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.
14.A client who has a sinus infection is receiving a prescription for
amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium (Augmentin) 500 mg PO q8 hours. The
available form is 250 mg amoxicillin/125mg clavulanate tablets. How many
tablets should the nurse administer for each dose? (Enter numeric value
only.) - ANSWER 2
Using Desired/Available formula: 500 mg/250 mg x 1 tablet = 2
15.A client who has been NPO for 3 days is receiving an infusion of Dextrose
5% in 0.45% Sodium chloride (D51/2 NS) with potassium chloride (KCl) 20
mEq at 83 ml/hour. The client's 8-hour urine output is 400 ml, blood urea
nitrogen (BUN) is 15 mg/dl (5.355 mmol/L), lungs are clear bilaterally,
serum glucose is 110 mg/dl ( 6.1 mmol/L), and serum potassium is 3.7
, mEq/L (3.7 mmol/L). Which action should the nurse implement? -
ANSWER ✔ Document in the medical record that these normal findings
are expected outcomes. The results are all within normal range (BUN 10 to
20 mg/dl or 3.6-7.1 mmol/L (SI units), serum glucose 70 to 110 mg/dl or
less than 6.1 mmol/L (SI), and serum potassium 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L or 3.5-5.0
mmol/L (SI units). The other actions are not indicated.
16.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.) - ANSWER
✔ 95
17.A child who is scheduled for a kidney transplant receives a prescription for
basiliximab (Simulect) 20 mg IV 2 hours prior to surgery. The medication is
available in a 20 mg vial that is reconstituted by adding 5 ml sterile water for
injection, and administered as a secondary infusion of normal saline 50 ml to
be infused over 30 minutes. The nurse should program the infusion pump to
deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter the numeric value only as a whole
number.) - ANSWER ✔ 110
18.A client with Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) is receiving an
infusion of 5 % dextrose in water (D5W)with amikacin (Amikin) 0.572
grams/100 ml every 12 hours. The nurse prepares the dose of amikacin using
a vial labeled, " 250 mg/ml." How many ml should the nurse add to the
infusion? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the
nearest tenth.) - ANSWER ✔ 2.3
19.A client with septic shock receives a prescription for dDextrose 5% in Water
(D5W) 250 ml with dopamine (Intropin) 0.6 grams/250 ml at a rate of 5
mcg/kg/minute. The client's weight is 148 pounds 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 whole number.) - ANSWER ✔ 8
20.The healthcare provider prescribes a secondary infusion of Dextrose 5% in
Water (D5W) 50 mg IV with magnesium sulfate 4 gram/50 mI to be infused
over 30 minutes for a client with preeclampsia. The nurse should program
the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only.
