HESI Pediatric Dosage & Medication Safety Exam Bank: IV Rates, mg/kg, Dilution & Reconstitution Q&A

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HESI Pediatric Dosage & Medication Safety
Exam Bank: IV Rates, mg/kg, Dilution &
Reconstitution Q&A




Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Basic Pediatric Dosage Calculations (Weight-Based Dosing, mg/kg/day, etc.) .. 2
Subtopic 2: IV Fluid & Electrolyte Calculations in Pediatrics ........................................... 11
Subtopic 3: Safe Medication Administration Practices in Pediatrics ................................ 20
Subtopic 4: Pediatric Drug Dilution & Reconstitution ..................................................... 30
Subtopic 5: Intramuscular (IM), Subcutaneous (SubQ), and Intravenous (IV) Medication
Administration in Pediatrics ......................................................................................... 39
Subtopic 6: Intravenous (IV) Fluid Therapy & Pediatric Maintenance Fluids ...................... 50
Subtopic 7: Pediatric Parenteral Medications (IM, IV, SubQ) – Administration, Site Selection
& Volumes .................................................................................................................. 59
Subtopic 8: Adverse Reactions, Side Effects & Toxicity in Pediatric Medication
Administration ............................................................................................................ 69
Subtopic 9: IV Fluid Calculations and Maintenance Requirements ................................. 78
Subtopic 10: Pediatric IV Therapy & Infusion Rate Calculations (Questions 181–200) ....... 86

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Subtopic 1: Basic Pediatric Dosage Calculations (Weight-
Based Dosing, mg/kg/day, etc.)
Question 1

A 3-year-old child weighing 15 kg is prescribed amoxicillin 40 mg/kg/day in divided doses
every 12 hours. What is the correct dose to administer every 12 hours?

A. 150 mg

B. 300 mg

C. 400 mg

D. 600 mg



Correct Answer: B. 300 mg

Rationale:

40 mg/kg/day × 15 kg = 600 mg/day. Divided every 12 hours = 600 ÷ 2 = 300 mg per dose.



Question 2

A 5-year-old patient weighing 18 kg is ordered cefuroxime at 25 mg/kg/day in two divided
doses. What is the dose per administration?

A. 100 mg

B. 225 mg

C. 300 mg

D. 450 mg



Correct Answer: B. 225 mg

Rationale:

25 mg/kg/day × 18 kg = 450 mg/day. 450 ÷ 2 = 225 mg per dose.

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Question 3

A 6-year-old child weighing 20 kg is prescribed acetaminophen 15 mg/kg every 6 hours PRN
for fever. What is the maximum amount the child can receive in 24 hours?

A. 600 mg

B. 900 mg

C. 1200 mg

D. 1500 mg



Correct Answer: C. 1200 mg

Rationale:

15 mg/kg × 20 kg = 300 mg per dose. Max 4 doses in 24 hours (every 6 hours): 300 × 4 = 1200
mg max.



Question 4

A 2-year-old (10 kg) is prescribed ibuprofen at 10 mg/kg/dose every 6–8 hours PRN. What is
the correct single dose?

A. 50 mg

B. 100 mg

C. 150 mg

D. 200 mg



Correct Answer: B. 100 mg

Rationale:

10 mg/kg × 10 kg = 100 mg per dose.



Question 5

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The provider prescribes azithromycin 12 mg/kg on Day 1 followed by 6 mg/kg once daily for
4 days for a child weighing 25 kg. What is the correct Day 1 dose?

A. 300 mg

B. 150 mg

C. 600 mg

D. 75 mg



Correct Answer: A. 300 mg

Rationale:

12 mg/kg × 25 kg = 300 mg on Day 1.



Question 6

A 4-year-old weighing 16 kg is prescribed oral diphenhydramine 5 mg/kg/day divided every 6
hours. What is the dose per administration?

A. 10 mg

B. 20 mg

C. 30 mg

D. 40 mg



Correct Answer: B. 20 mg

Rationale:

5 mg/kg/day × 16 kg = 80 mg/day ÷ 4 (every 6 hours) = 20 mg per dose.



Question 7

A neonate (weight 3.2 kg) requires gentamicin 5 mg/kg/day in two divided doses. What is
the correct dose per administration?

A. 5 mg