HESI PHARMACOLOGY DOSAGE
CALCULATIONS FINAL EXAM LATEST
UPDATE
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.) (correct answers)11.3
2. 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.
3. 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.) (correct answers)3.5
4. 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.
5. 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.) (correct answers)1.9
6. 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.
7. A client is receiving an IV solution of sodium chloride 0.9% (Normal Saline) 250 ml with
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.) (correct
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.
8. A client who weighs 176 pounds is receiving an IV infusion with esmolol hydrochloride
(Brevibloc) at 48 ml/hour. The IV solution is labeled with the concentration of Brevibloc 10
mg/ml. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value only.) (correct
answers)100
9. Convert pounds to kg by dividing 176 pounds by 2.2 pounds = 80 kg. Convert the IV
concentration from mg to mcg. 1 mg : 1000 mcg :: 10 mg : 10,000 mcg. Infusion rate (48
ml/hour) x concentration (10,000 mcg/ml) divided by 60 minutes/hour x 80 kg = 48 x 10,000
divided by 60 x 80 = 480, = 100 mcg/kg/minute.
10. 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.) (correct answers)95
85 ml x 2 hours = 170 ml has infused. 265 ml (total amount to be infused) - 170 ml (amount
infused) = 95 ml remain to be infused.
11. A male client receives a prescription for ondansetron hydrochloride (Zofran) 4 mg IV to prevent
postoperative nausea after an inguinal hernia repair. The medication is available in 2 mg/ml.
How many ml should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.) (correct answers)2
Use ratio and proportion, 4 mg : X ml = 2 mg : 1 ml 2X = 4 X = 2
12. The nurse is preparing to administer Hepatitis B Vaccine, Recombinant (Energix-B) 5 mcg IM to a
school-aged child. The vaccine is labeled, 10 mcg/ml. How many ml should the nurse
administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth).
(correct answers)1 or 0.5
Use ratio and proportion, 5 mcg : X ml :: 10 mcg : 1ml
10X = 5 X = 0.5 ml
13. A client's daily PO prescription for aripiprazole (Abilify) is increased from 15 mg to 30 mg. The
medication is available in 15 mg tablets, and the client already received one tablet today. How
many additional tablets should the nurse administer so the client receives the total newly
prescribed dose for the day? (Enter numeric value only.) (correct answers)1
, 30 mg (total dose) - 15 mg (dose already administered) = 15 mg that still needs to be
administered. Using the Desired/Have formula: 15 mg/15 mg = 1 tablet
14. At the end of the shift, the nurse is recording the fluid balance for a client receiving a continuous
gastrostomy tube (GT) feeding. Based on the client's records, how many ml should the nurse
record for the total fluid balance (intake - output) for the shift that started at 0700 and ended at
1900? (Enter numeric value only.) (Click on each image asset for additional information.)
(correct answers)695
15. The tube feeding is administered at 75 ml/hour for 11 hours (0700 - 1800) and then turned off
for one hour because the residual is greater than 200 ml. 11 hours x 75 ml/hr = 825 ml. Three
doses of 20 ml of medication are administered, with 10 ml of water used to flush the GT before
and after each dose. 20 ml x 3 doses = 60 ml; 10 ml (flush) x 2 x 3 doses = 60 ml; so 825 ml + 60
ml + 60 ml = 945 ml. 250 ml of residual is removed and not replaced. 945 ml - 250 ml = 695 ml
total fluid balance (Intake - output).
16. The nurse is administering a 250 milliliter (ml) intravenous solution to be infused over 2 hours.
How many ml/hour should the nurse program the infusion pump? (Enter numeric value only.)
(correct answers)125
250 ml : 2 hours = X ml : 1 hour 250 = 2X X = 250 divided by 2 = 125 ml/hr
17. The nurse is preparing to administer 0.25 mg of bumetanide (Bumex) IV. The medication is
available in a vial labeled 1 mg/4 ml. How many ml of medication should the nurse administer?
(Enter numeric value only.) (correct answers)1
Using the Desired/Have x Volume formula: Desired = 0.25 mg Have = 1 mg Volume = 4 ml 0.25
mg/1 mg x 4 ml = 1 ml
18. A client with hypertension receives a prescription for carteolol (Cartel) 7.5 mg PO daily. The drug
is available in 2.5 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric
value only.) (correct answers)3
Using D/H: 7.5 mg / 2.5 mg = 3 tablets
19. The healthcare provider prescribes trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim-DS Oral
Suspension) 120 mg BID for a child with bronchitis. The Bactrim bottle is labeled 200 mg/5ml.
How many ml should the nurse administer at each dose? (Enter numeric value only.) (correct
answers)3
, Using the formula D/H x Q, 120/200 x 5 = 3 ml
20. A 180-pound adult male is admitted to the Emergency Center after receiving thermal burns to
60 percent of his body. Using the Parkland formula of 4 ml/kg/24 hours, the client should
receive how many ml of fluid during the first 24 hours? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is
required, round to the nearest whole number.) (correct answers)19632
Using the Parkland formula, the client's fluid requirements for the first 24 hours after injury: 4
ml lactated Ringer's solution x Body weight (in kilograms) x Percent burn. Convert 180 pounds to
kg = .2 = 81.8 kg 4 ml x 81.8 kg x 60 = 19632 ml over the first 24 hours.
21. The healthcare provider prescribes acetazolamide (Diamox) 600 mg/m2/day divided into 3
doses. The nurse calculates the child's body surface area (BSA) as 0.7 m2. How many mg should
the child receive per dose? (Enter numeric value only.) (correct answers)140
Using the child's BSA, 0.7 m2, calculate the mg/dose, 600 mg x 0.7 m2 = 420 mg/day/3 doses =
140 mg/dose
22. A loading dose of acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) 8 grams, which is available as a 20% solution (200
mg acetylcysteine per ml) is prescribed by nasogastric tube for a client with acetaminophen
toxicity. How many ml of diluent should be added to the medication to obtain a 1:4
concentration? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole
number.) (correct answers)120
8 grams = 8,000 mg prescribed dose. Using the formula, D/H x Q, 8,000 mg / 200 mg x 1 ml = 40
ml of the 20% solution. Dilute the 40 ml to a 1:4 concentration for administration using ratio and
proportion, 1 : 4 solution :: 40 ml : X X= 160 ml total volume to administer. Subtract total volume
of 160 ml - 40 ml of 20% concentration = 120 ml diluent is added to obtain a 1:4 concentration.
23. A child who weighs 55 pounds receives a prescription for atovaquone with proguanil (Malarone
Pediatric) 125 mg/50 mg PO daily. A drug reference states that children 11 to 20 kg should
receive 1 pediatric tablet daily; 21 to 30 kg should receive 2 pediatric tablets daily; 31 to 40 kg
should receive 3 pediatric tablets daily; and greater than 40 kg should receive 1 adult tablet daily
with food. The drug is available as atovaquone 62.5 mg/proguanil 25 mg pediatric tablets. How
many tablets should the nurse administer? (correct answers)2
Calculate each drug component dose, using the formula, D/H 125 mg / 62.5 mg (atovaquone) = 2
combined with 50 mg / 25 mg (proguanil) = 2. The child should receive 2 tablets.
CALCULATIONS FINAL EXAM LATEST
UPDATE
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.) (correct answers)11.3
2. 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.
3. 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.) (correct answers)3.5
4. 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.
5. 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.) (correct answers)1.9
6. 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.
7. A client is receiving an IV solution of sodium chloride 0.9% (Normal Saline) 250 ml with
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.) (correct
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.
8. A client who weighs 176 pounds is receiving an IV infusion with esmolol hydrochloride
(Brevibloc) at 48 ml/hour. The IV solution is labeled with the concentration of Brevibloc 10
mg/ml. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric value only.) (correct
answers)100
9. Convert pounds to kg by dividing 176 pounds by 2.2 pounds = 80 kg. Convert the IV
concentration from mg to mcg. 1 mg : 1000 mcg :: 10 mg : 10,000 mcg. Infusion rate (48
ml/hour) x concentration (10,000 mcg/ml) divided by 60 minutes/hour x 80 kg = 48 x 10,000
divided by 60 x 80 = 480, = 100 mcg/kg/minute.
10. 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.) (correct answers)95
85 ml x 2 hours = 170 ml has infused. 265 ml (total amount to be infused) - 170 ml (amount
infused) = 95 ml remain to be infused.
11. A male client receives a prescription for ondansetron hydrochloride (Zofran) 4 mg IV to prevent
postoperative nausea after an inguinal hernia repair. The medication is available in 2 mg/ml.
How many ml should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.) (correct answers)2
Use ratio and proportion, 4 mg : X ml = 2 mg : 1 ml 2X = 4 X = 2
12. The nurse is preparing to administer Hepatitis B Vaccine, Recombinant (Energix-B) 5 mcg IM to a
school-aged child. The vaccine is labeled, 10 mcg/ml. How many ml should the nurse
administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth).
(correct answers)1 or 0.5
Use ratio and proportion, 5 mcg : X ml :: 10 mcg : 1ml
10X = 5 X = 0.5 ml
13. A client's daily PO prescription for aripiprazole (Abilify) is increased from 15 mg to 30 mg. The
medication is available in 15 mg tablets, and the client already received one tablet today. How
many additional tablets should the nurse administer so the client receives the total newly
prescribed dose for the day? (Enter numeric value only.) (correct answers)1
, 30 mg (total dose) - 15 mg (dose already administered) = 15 mg that still needs to be
administered. Using the Desired/Have formula: 15 mg/15 mg = 1 tablet
14. At the end of the shift, the nurse is recording the fluid balance for a client receiving a continuous
gastrostomy tube (GT) feeding. Based on the client's records, how many ml should the nurse
record for the total fluid balance (intake - output) for the shift that started at 0700 and ended at
1900? (Enter numeric value only.) (Click on each image asset for additional information.)
(correct answers)695
15. The tube feeding is administered at 75 ml/hour for 11 hours (0700 - 1800) and then turned off
for one hour because the residual is greater than 200 ml. 11 hours x 75 ml/hr = 825 ml. Three
doses of 20 ml of medication are administered, with 10 ml of water used to flush the GT before
and after each dose. 20 ml x 3 doses = 60 ml; 10 ml (flush) x 2 x 3 doses = 60 ml; so 825 ml + 60
ml + 60 ml = 945 ml. 250 ml of residual is removed and not replaced. 945 ml - 250 ml = 695 ml
total fluid balance (Intake - output).
16. The nurse is administering a 250 milliliter (ml) intravenous solution to be infused over 2 hours.
How many ml/hour should the nurse program the infusion pump? (Enter numeric value only.)
(correct answers)125
250 ml : 2 hours = X ml : 1 hour 250 = 2X X = 250 divided by 2 = 125 ml/hr
17. The nurse is preparing to administer 0.25 mg of bumetanide (Bumex) IV. The medication is
available in a vial labeled 1 mg/4 ml. How many ml of medication should the nurse administer?
(Enter numeric value only.) (correct answers)1
Using the Desired/Have x Volume formula: Desired = 0.25 mg Have = 1 mg Volume = 4 ml 0.25
mg/1 mg x 4 ml = 1 ml
18. A client with hypertension receives a prescription for carteolol (Cartel) 7.5 mg PO daily. The drug
is available in 2.5 mg tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer? (Enter numeric
value only.) (correct answers)3
Using D/H: 7.5 mg / 2.5 mg = 3 tablets
19. The healthcare provider prescribes trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim-DS Oral
Suspension) 120 mg BID for a child with bronchitis. The Bactrim bottle is labeled 200 mg/5ml.
How many ml should the nurse administer at each dose? (Enter numeric value only.) (correct
answers)3
, Using the formula D/H x Q, 120/200 x 5 = 3 ml
20. A 180-pound adult male is admitted to the Emergency Center after receiving thermal burns to
60 percent of his body. Using the Parkland formula of 4 ml/kg/24 hours, the client should
receive how many ml of fluid during the first 24 hours? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is
required, round to the nearest whole number.) (correct answers)19632
Using the Parkland formula, the client's fluid requirements for the first 24 hours after injury: 4
ml lactated Ringer's solution x Body weight (in kilograms) x Percent burn. Convert 180 pounds to
kg = .2 = 81.8 kg 4 ml x 81.8 kg x 60 = 19632 ml over the first 24 hours.
21. The healthcare provider prescribes acetazolamide (Diamox) 600 mg/m2/day divided into 3
doses. The nurse calculates the child's body surface area (BSA) as 0.7 m2. How many mg should
the child receive per dose? (Enter numeric value only.) (correct answers)140
Using the child's BSA, 0.7 m2, calculate the mg/dose, 600 mg x 0.7 m2 = 420 mg/day/3 doses =
140 mg/dose
22. A loading dose of acetylcysteine (Mucomyst) 8 grams, which is available as a 20% solution (200
mg acetylcysteine per ml) is prescribed by nasogastric tube for a client with acetaminophen
toxicity. How many ml of diluent should be added to the medication to obtain a 1:4
concentration? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole
number.) (correct answers)120
8 grams = 8,000 mg prescribed dose. Using the formula, D/H x Q, 8,000 mg / 200 mg x 1 ml = 40
ml of the 20% solution. Dilute the 40 ml to a 1:4 concentration for administration using ratio and
proportion, 1 : 4 solution :: 40 ml : X X= 160 ml total volume to administer. Subtract total volume
of 160 ml - 40 ml of 20% concentration = 120 ml diluent is added to obtain a 1:4 concentration.
23. A child who weighs 55 pounds receives a prescription for atovaquone with proguanil (Malarone
Pediatric) 125 mg/50 mg PO daily. A drug reference states that children 11 to 20 kg should
receive 1 pediatric tablet daily; 21 to 30 kg should receive 2 pediatric tablets daily; 31 to 40 kg
should receive 3 pediatric tablets daily; and greater than 40 kg should receive 1 adult tablet daily
with food. The drug is available as atovaquone 62.5 mg/proguanil 25 mg pediatric tablets. How
many tablets should the nurse administer? (correct answers)2
Calculate each drug component dose, using the formula, D/H 125 mg / 62.5 mg (atovaquone) = 2
combined with 50 mg / 25 mg (proguanil) = 2. The child should receive 2 tablets.
