DOSAGE CALCULATION
Dimensional Analysis
CBT Review Exam
Q&A
2024
,1. A patient is prescribed 500 mg of amoxicillin every 8 hours for 10 days.
The pharmacy has amoxicillin suspension 250 mg/5 mL. How many
milliliters of the suspension should the nurse administer per dose?
a) 5 mL
b) 10 mL*
c) 15 mL
d) 20 mL
Rationale: Using dimensional analysis, the nurse should set up the
equation as follows: 500 mg x (5 mL/250 mg) = 10 mL.
2. A patient with diabetes mellitus is ordered to receive 12 units of regular
insulin and 28 units of NPH insulin subcutaneously before breakfast. The
nurse has two syringes: one with a capacity of 50 units and one with a
capacity of 100 units. Which syringe should the nurse use to administer
the insulin and why?
a) The 50-unit syringe, because it is more accurate for smaller doses.
b) The 50-unit syringe, because it can hold both types of insulin.
c) The 100-unit syringe, because it can hold both types of insulin.*
d) The 100-unit syringe, because it is more accurate for larger doses.
Rationale: The nurse should use the 100-unit syringe, because it can hold
both types of insulin and the total dose is 40 units. The 50-unit syringe
cannot hold the total dose and would require two injections.
3. A patient with hypertension is prescribed amlodipine 5 mg once daily.
The nurse has amlodipine tablets 2.5 mg. How many tablets should the
nurse administer per dose?
a) 0.5 tablet
b) 1 tablet
c) 2 tablets*
d) 4 tablets
Rationale: Using dimensional analysis, the nurse should set up the
equation as follows: 5 mg x (1 tablet/2.5 mg) = 2 tablets.
4. A patient with chronic kidney disease is ordered to receive epoetin alfa
50 units/kg intravenously three times a week. The patient weighs 70 kg.
The nurse has epoetin alfa injection 2000 units/mL. How many milliliters
of the injection should the nurse administer per dose?
a) 0.875 mL
, b) 1.75 mL*
c) 3.5 mL
d) 7 mL
Rationale: Using dimensional analysis, the nurse should set up the
equation as follows: (50 units/kg x 70 kg) x (1 mL/2000 units) = 1.75 mL.
5. A patient with congestive heart failure is prescribed furosemide 40 mg
twice daily. The pharmacy has furosemide tablets 20 mg and furosemide
oral solution 10 mg/mL. Which formulation should the nurse use to
administer the medication and why?
a) The tablets, because they are more convenient and less messy.
b) The tablets, because they have a higher concentration and require less
volume.
c) The oral solution, because it has a lower concentration and requires
more volume.
d) The oral solution, because it is more easily absorbed and has a faster
onset of action.*
Rationale: The nurse should use the oral solution, because it is more easily
absorbed and has a faster onset of action than the tablets. This is important
for patients with congestive heart failure who need rapid diuresis.
6. A patient with schizophrenia is prescribed haloperidol decanoate 100
mg intramuscularly every four weeks. The nurse has haloperidol
decanoate injection 50 mg/mL. How many milliliters of the injection
should the nurse administer per dose?
a) 1 mL
b) 2 mL*
c) 4 mL
d) 8 mL
Rationale: Using dimensional analysis, the nurse should set up the
equation as follows: 100 mg x (1 mL/50 mg) = 2 mL.
7. A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol inhalation aerosol two
puffs four times a day as needed for wheezing. The albuterol inhaler
delivers 90 mcg of albuterol per puff and contains 200 puffs per canister.
How many days will one canister last if the patient uses the inhaler as
prescribed?
a) 12 days
Dimensional Analysis
CBT Review Exam
Q&A
2024
,1. A patient is prescribed 500 mg of amoxicillin every 8 hours for 10 days.
The pharmacy has amoxicillin suspension 250 mg/5 mL. How many
milliliters of the suspension should the nurse administer per dose?
a) 5 mL
b) 10 mL*
c) 15 mL
d) 20 mL
Rationale: Using dimensional analysis, the nurse should set up the
equation as follows: 500 mg x (5 mL/250 mg) = 10 mL.
2. A patient with diabetes mellitus is ordered to receive 12 units of regular
insulin and 28 units of NPH insulin subcutaneously before breakfast. The
nurse has two syringes: one with a capacity of 50 units and one with a
capacity of 100 units. Which syringe should the nurse use to administer
the insulin and why?
a) The 50-unit syringe, because it is more accurate for smaller doses.
b) The 50-unit syringe, because it can hold both types of insulin.
c) The 100-unit syringe, because it can hold both types of insulin.*
d) The 100-unit syringe, because it is more accurate for larger doses.
Rationale: The nurse should use the 100-unit syringe, because it can hold
both types of insulin and the total dose is 40 units. The 50-unit syringe
cannot hold the total dose and would require two injections.
3. A patient with hypertension is prescribed amlodipine 5 mg once daily.
The nurse has amlodipine tablets 2.5 mg. How many tablets should the
nurse administer per dose?
a) 0.5 tablet
b) 1 tablet
c) 2 tablets*
d) 4 tablets
Rationale: Using dimensional analysis, the nurse should set up the
equation as follows: 5 mg x (1 tablet/2.5 mg) = 2 tablets.
4. A patient with chronic kidney disease is ordered to receive epoetin alfa
50 units/kg intravenously three times a week. The patient weighs 70 kg.
The nurse has epoetin alfa injection 2000 units/mL. How many milliliters
of the injection should the nurse administer per dose?
a) 0.875 mL
, b) 1.75 mL*
c) 3.5 mL
d) 7 mL
Rationale: Using dimensional analysis, the nurse should set up the
equation as follows: (50 units/kg x 70 kg) x (1 mL/2000 units) = 1.75 mL.
5. A patient with congestive heart failure is prescribed furosemide 40 mg
twice daily. The pharmacy has furosemide tablets 20 mg and furosemide
oral solution 10 mg/mL. Which formulation should the nurse use to
administer the medication and why?
a) The tablets, because they are more convenient and less messy.
b) The tablets, because they have a higher concentration and require less
volume.
c) The oral solution, because it has a lower concentration and requires
more volume.
d) The oral solution, because it is more easily absorbed and has a faster
onset of action.*
Rationale: The nurse should use the oral solution, because it is more easily
absorbed and has a faster onset of action than the tablets. This is important
for patients with congestive heart failure who need rapid diuresis.
6. A patient with schizophrenia is prescribed haloperidol decanoate 100
mg intramuscularly every four weeks. The nurse has haloperidol
decanoate injection 50 mg/mL. How many milliliters of the injection
should the nurse administer per dose?
a) 1 mL
b) 2 mL*
c) 4 mL
d) 8 mL
Rationale: Using dimensional analysis, the nurse should set up the
equation as follows: 100 mg x (1 mL/50 mg) = 2 mL.
7. A patient with asthma is prescribed albuterol inhalation aerosol two
puffs four times a day as needed for wheezing. The albuterol inhaler
delivers 90 mcg of albuterol per puff and contains 200 puffs per canister.
How many days will one canister last if the patient uses the inhaler as
prescribed?
a) 12 days
