NURS 165 MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION DOSAGES & CALCULATIONS COMPLETE GUIDE

1|Page


# NURS 165 – MEDICATION ADMINISTRATION
DOSAGES AND CALCULATIONS
## COMPLETE GUIDE FOR 2026-2027
### UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL
OF NURSING
### HELENE FULD PAVILION FOR INNOVATIVE
LEARNING



# PART 1: SYSTEMS OF MEASUREMENT & CONVERSIONS


**Q1. The healthcare provider prescribes digoxin 0.25 mg PO daily. The
medication is available as 250 mcg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse
administer?**


A) 0.5 tablet
B) 1 tablet
C) 2 tablets
D) 0.25 tablet


**Correct Answer: B**


**Rationale:** Convert 0.25 mg to mcg: 0.25 mg × 1000 mcg/mg = 250 mcg. The
available tablet is 250 mcg, so 1 tablet should be administered .

,2|Page


**Q2. A patient's daily intake includes the following: 240 mL of coffee, 120 mL of
juice, 180 mL of soup, and 480 mL of water. What is the total intake in mL?**


A) 820 mL
B) 920 mL
C) 1020 mL
D) 1120 mL


**Correct Answer: C**


**Rationale:** Add all intakes: 240 mL + 120 mL + 180 mL + 480 mL = 1020
mL. This calculation is essential for accurate intake and output documentation .


---


**Q3. A patient produces 360 mL of urine, 200 mL of diarrhea, 2 teaspoons of
blood drainage, and 180 mL of nasogastric suction. What is the total output in
mL?**


A) 740 mL
B) 750 mL
C) 760 mL
D) 770 mL


**Correct Answer: B**

,3|Page




**Rationale:** Convert 2 tsp to mL: 2 tsp × 5 mL/tsp = 10 mL. Total output = 360
mL + 200 mL + 10 mL + 180 mL = 750 mL .


---


**Q4. The nurse converts 0.3 grams to milligrams. What is the correct result?**


A) 30 mg
B) 300 mg
C) 3000 mg
D) 3 mg


**Correct Answer: B**


**Rationale:** To convert grams to milligrams, multiply by 1000: 0.3 g × 1000 =
300 mg .


---


**Q5. The nurse converts 2 fluid ounces to mL. What is the correct result? (1 oz =
30 mL)**


A) 15 mL
B) 30 mL

, 4|Page


C) 45 mL
D) 60 mL


**Correct Answer: D**


**Rationale:** 2 fl oz × 30 mL/fl oz = 60 mL. Remember: 1 oz = 30 mL, 1 tsp = 5
mL, 1 tbsp = 15 mL .


---


**Q6. Which of the following is the most accurate conversion for 1 tablespoon?**


A) 5 mL
B) 10 mL
C) 15 mL
D) 20 mL


**Correct Answer: C**


**Rationale:** 1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 3 teaspoons = 15 mL. This is a standard
conversion for medication administration .


---


**Q7. 1 kilogram is equal to how many pounds?**