Questions with Complete Answers &
Rationales – Comprehensive Drug Calculations Review
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Section 1: Basic Conversions & Oral Medications (Questions 1-40)
1. A nurse is to administer 0.5 g of a medication. How many milligrams is this?
A. 5 mg
B. 50 mg
C. 500 mg
D. 5000 mg
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 1 g = 1000 mg, so 0.5 g = 0.5 × 1000 = 500 mg.
2. A prescription reads “cephalexin 250 mg PO every 6 hours.” The available
capsules are 500 mg each. How many capsules should the nurse administer per
dose?
A. 0.25 capsule
B. 0.5 capsule
C. 1 capsule
D. 2 capsules
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 250 mg / 500 mg per capsule = 0.5 capsule.
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,3. The order is for amoxicillin 0.75 g PO. The pharmacy sends 250 mg tablets. How
many tablets should be given?
A. 1 tablet
B. 2 tablets
C. 3 tablets
D. 4 tablets
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Convert 0.75 g to 750 mg. 750 mg / 250 mg per tablet = 3 tablets.
4. A patient needs 1.5 L of fluid over 24 hours. How many mL per hour?
A. 62.5 mL/hr
B. 75 mL/hr
C. 100 mL/hr
D. 125 mL/hr
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: 1.5 L = 1500 mL. 1500 mL / 24 hr = 62.5 mL/hr.
5. The order is for digoxin 0.125 mg PO daily. You have 0.25 mg tablets. How
many tablets will you give?
A. 0.25 tablet
B. 0.5 tablet
C. 1 tablet
D. 2 tablets
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 0.125 mg / 0.25 mg per tablet = 0.5 tablet.
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,6. A child weighs 44 lb. What is the weight in kilograms?
A. 10 kg
B. 20 kg
C. 22 kg
D. 97 kg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 1 kg = 2.2 lb. 44 lb / 2.2 = 20 kg.
7. Convert 3000 mcg to mg.
A. 0.3 mg
B. 3 mg
C. 30 mg
D. 300 mg
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 1000 mcg = 1 mg, so 3000 mcg = 3 mg.
8. A patient is to receive 75 mg of meperidine IM. The vial contains 100 mg/mL.
How many mL should be administered?
A. 0.25 mL
B. 0.5 mL
C. 0.75 mL
D. 1.0 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 75 mg / 100 mg per mL = 0.75 mL.
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, 9. The order is for furosemide 80 mg IV push. The vial is labeled 40 mg/mL. How
many mL?
A. 0.5 mL
B. 1 mL
C. 2 mL
D. 4 mL
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: 80 mg / 40 mg per mL = 2 mL.
10. A patient drinks 8 ounces of water. How many mL is that?
A. 120 mL
B. 240 mL
C. 360 mL
D. 480 mL
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: 1 oz = 30 mL, so 8 oz = 240 mL.
11. A medication order reads “clindamycin 0.6 g IV every 8 hours.” The pharmacy
sends clindamycin 300 mg/2 mL. How many mL per dose?
A. 1 mL
B. 2 mL
C. 3 mL
D. 4 mL
Correct Answer: D
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