NR 224 Dosage Calculation Exam Dimensional
Analysis Nursing Chamberlain University
Actual Exam 2026/2027 with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam-Style Questions |
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
● Section 1: Oral Medication Dosage Calculations (Tablets, Capsules, Liquids) — Questions
1–4
● Section 2: Injectable Medication Calculations (IM, SubQ, Intradermal) — Questions 5–8
● Section 3: Intravenous (IV) Flow Rate Calculations (mL/hr) — Questions 9–12
● Section 4: IV Drip Rate Calculations (gtt/min) — Questions 13–16
● Section 5: Weight-Based Dosage Calculations (mg/kg, mcg/kg) — Questions 17–20
● Section 6: Safe Dose Range Verification — Questions 21–22
● Section 7: Pediatric Dosage Calculations — Questions 23–24
● Section 8: Reconstitution of Powdered Medications — Questions 25–26
● Section 9: Dosage Calculations for Critical Care Medications — Questions 27–28
● Section 10: IV Infusion Time & Completion Time Calculations — Questions 29–30
[SECTION 1: Questions 1–4] — Oral Medication Dosage Calculations (Tablets, Capsules, Liquids)
Q1: The provider orders metformin 1 g PO daily for a patient with type 2 diabetes. The medication
administration record (MAR) shows metformin 500 mg tablets are available. How many tablets
should the nurse administer?
,A. 0.5 tablets
B. 4 tablets
<span style="background-color: green">
D. 1.5 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using dimensional analysis, first convert grams to milligrams so that units match: 1 g =
1,000 mg. Set up the equation as (1,000 mg / 500 mg per tablet) = 2 tablets. This ensures the
ordered dose equals the available dose. Answer A represents a dangerous decimal error inverting
the calculation. Answer B doubles the dose, which could cause severe hypoglycemia and lactic
acidosis. Answer D incorrectly applies a conversion factor of 1.5, violating ISMP standards for
accurate oral dosing. Chamberlain nursing students must always verify that ordered and available
units match before calculating.
Q2: A pediatric patient is prescribed amoxicillin 400 mg PO q8h for streptococcal pharyngitis. The
pharmacy supplies amoxicillin suspension 250 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters should the nurse
administer per dose?
A. 5 mL
B. 16 mL
<span style="background-color: green">
D. 10 mL
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dimensional analysis requires setting up the problem so unwanted units cancel: (400 mg
× 5 mL) / 250 mg = 8 mL. The milligram units cancel, leaving milliliters as the remaining unit.
Answer A administers only 250 mg, which is subtherapeutic and risks treatment failure. Answer B
incorrectly doubles the result by multiplying 400 × rather than dividing properly. Answer D
uses an erroneous conversion of 2.5 mg per mL. For NR 224 students, always double-check liquid
measurements with an oral syringe to prevent pediatric dosing errors aligned with QSEN safety
competencies.
Q3: The physician orders doxycycline 100 mg PO BID for a patient with Lyme disease. The unit
stock contains doxycycline 50 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer?
A. 1 capsule
B. 4 capsules
<span style="background-color: green">
D. 0.5 capsules
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The dimensional analysis equation is straightforward: (100 mg ordered / 50 mg per
capsule) = 2 capsules. Because capsules are unit-dose solid forms, the nurse cannot administer
partial capsules, making whole-number answers essential. Answer A provides only half the
prescribed antibiotic dose, risking inadequate infection control. Answer B represents a 200%
overdose that increases photosensitivity and hepatotoxicity risk. Answer D suggests splitting a
capsule, which violates ISMP guidelines and safe medication administration principles taught in
Chamberlain’s fundamentals curriculum.
Analysis Nursing Chamberlain University
Actual Exam 2026/2027 with Detailed
Rationales | Complete Exam-Style Questions |
Pass Guaranteed – A+ Graded
TABLE OF CONTENTS
● Section 1: Oral Medication Dosage Calculations (Tablets, Capsules, Liquids) — Questions
1–4
● Section 2: Injectable Medication Calculations (IM, SubQ, Intradermal) — Questions 5–8
● Section 3: Intravenous (IV) Flow Rate Calculations (mL/hr) — Questions 9–12
● Section 4: IV Drip Rate Calculations (gtt/min) — Questions 13–16
● Section 5: Weight-Based Dosage Calculations (mg/kg, mcg/kg) — Questions 17–20
● Section 6: Safe Dose Range Verification — Questions 21–22
● Section 7: Pediatric Dosage Calculations — Questions 23–24
● Section 8: Reconstitution of Powdered Medications — Questions 25–26
● Section 9: Dosage Calculations for Critical Care Medications — Questions 27–28
● Section 10: IV Infusion Time & Completion Time Calculations — Questions 29–30
[SECTION 1: Questions 1–4] — Oral Medication Dosage Calculations (Tablets, Capsules, Liquids)
Q1: The provider orders metformin 1 g PO daily for a patient with type 2 diabetes. The medication
administration record (MAR) shows metformin 500 mg tablets are available. How many tablets
should the nurse administer?
,A. 0.5 tablets
B. 4 tablets
<span style="background-color: green">
D. 1.5 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Using dimensional analysis, first convert grams to milligrams so that units match: 1 g =
1,000 mg. Set up the equation as (1,000 mg / 500 mg per tablet) = 2 tablets. This ensures the
ordered dose equals the available dose. Answer A represents a dangerous decimal error inverting
the calculation. Answer B doubles the dose, which could cause severe hypoglycemia and lactic
acidosis. Answer D incorrectly applies a conversion factor of 1.5, violating ISMP standards for
accurate oral dosing. Chamberlain nursing students must always verify that ordered and available
units match before calculating.
Q2: A pediatric patient is prescribed amoxicillin 400 mg PO q8h for streptococcal pharyngitis. The
pharmacy supplies amoxicillin suspension 250 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters should the nurse
administer per dose?
A. 5 mL
B. 16 mL
<span style="background-color: green">
D. 10 mL
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Dimensional analysis requires setting up the problem so unwanted units cancel: (400 mg
× 5 mL) / 250 mg = 8 mL. The milligram units cancel, leaving milliliters as the remaining unit.
Answer A administers only 250 mg, which is subtherapeutic and risks treatment failure. Answer B
incorrectly doubles the result by multiplying 400 × rather than dividing properly. Answer D
uses an erroneous conversion of 2.5 mg per mL. For NR 224 students, always double-check liquid
measurements with an oral syringe to prevent pediatric dosing errors aligned with QSEN safety
competencies.
Q3: The physician orders doxycycline 100 mg PO BID for a patient with Lyme disease. The unit
stock contains doxycycline 50 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer?
A. 1 capsule
B. 4 capsules
<span style="background-color: green">
D. 0.5 capsules
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The dimensional analysis equation is straightforward: (100 mg ordered / 50 mg per
capsule) = 2 capsules. Because capsules are unit-dose solid forms, the nurse cannot administer
partial capsules, making whole-number answers essential. Answer A provides only half the
prescribed antibiotic dose, risking inadequate infection control. Answer B represents a 200%
overdose that increases photosensitivity and hepatotoxicity risk. Answer D suggests splitting a
capsule, which violates ISMP guidelines and safe medication administration principles taught in
Chamberlain’s fundamentals curriculum.
