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HESI Specialty Exam Bank: Pediatric Dosage Calculations, IV
Medications & Drug Safety
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Basic Pediatric Dosage Calculations (Weight-Based, BSA, Safe
Ranges)............................................................................................................2
Subtopic 2: Pediatric IV Flow Rate & Reconstitution Calculations..................11
Subtopic 3: Pediatric Medication Conversions & Units (mg ↔ mcg, tsp ↔ mL,
gr ↔ mg, etc.)................................................................................................20
Subtopic 4: Pediatric Medication Safety — High-Alert Medications, Double
Checks, and the 10 Rights of Medication Administration...............................28
Subtopic 5: Intravenous (IV) Dosage Calculations in Pediatrics (Questions 81–
100)...............................................................................................................38
Subtopic 6: Pediatric Intravenous (IV) Fluid Calculations and Infusion Rates.45
Subtopic 7: Pediatric High-Alert Medications and Risk Mitigation..................53
Subtopic 8: Pediatric IV Medication Administration and Compatibility...........61
Subtopic 9: Medication Timing, Frequency, and Safe Scheduling in Pediatric
Care...............................................................................................................69
Subtopic 10: Pediatric IV Medications, Compatibility, and Titration
Calculations...................................................................................................77
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Subtopic 1: Basic Pediatric Dosage
Calculations (Weight-Based, BSA, Safe
Ranges)
Questions 1–20
Question 1
A 3-year-old child weighing 15 kg is prescribed ceftriaxone 75 mg/kg/day
divided into two doses. How many milligrams should the nurse administer
per dose?
A. 375 mg
B. 562.5 mg
C. 1125 mg
D. 750 mg
Correct Answer: B. 562.5 mg
Rationale: Multiply 75 mg/kg × 15 kg = 1125 mg/day. Divide by 2 doses:
1125 ÷ 2 = 562.5 mg per dose.
Question 2
A 12-month-old infant weighing 10 kg is ordered acetaminophen 15
mg/kg/dose every 6 hours. What is the correct dose per administration?
A. 150 mg
B. 120 mg
C. 100 mg
D. 200 mg
, 3
Correct Answer: A. 150 mg
Rationale: 15 mg/kg × 10 kg = 150 mg per dose. Ensure correct interval and
max daily dose (not to exceed 75 mg/kg/day).
Question 3
A pediatric patient requires a dose of 8 mg/kg/day of gentamicin, divided into
three equal doses. The child weighs 18 kg. How much should the nurse
administer per dose?
A. 48 mg
B. 36 mg
C. 48 mg
D. 24 mg
Correct Answer: C. 48 mg
Rationale: 8 mg/kg/day × 18 kg = 144 mg/day. Divide by 3 = 48 mg per
dose.
Question 4
A 7-year-old child weighing 22 kg is prescribed amoxicillin 40 mg/kg/day in
two divided doses. What is the total daily dose?
A. 880 mg
B. 440 mg
C. 660 mg
D. 1320 mg
, 4
Correct Answer: A. 880 mg
Rationale: 40 mg/kg × 22 kg = 880 mg/day. For divided dosing, each dose =
440 mg.
Question 5
Calculate the safe dose range for furosemide 1–2 mg/kg/dose for a child
weighing 12 kg.
A. 6–24 mg
B. 6–12 mg
C. 12–24 mg
D. 10–20 mg
Correct Answer: C. 12–24 mg
Rationale: 1 mg/kg × 12 kg = 12 mg (low end); 2 mg/kg × 12 kg = 24 mg
(high end).
Question 6
A provider prescribes 20 mg of a medication. The safe dose range is 1–2
mg/kg, and the child weighs 9 kg. Is the dose safe?
A. Yes, the dose is below range
B. No, the dose is too low
C. No, the dose exceeds the safe range
D. Yes, the dose is within range
Correct Answer: C. No, the dose exceeds the safe range
HESI Specialty Exam Bank: Pediatric Dosage Calculations, IV
Medications & Drug Safety
Table of Contents
Subtopic 1: Basic Pediatric Dosage Calculations (Weight-Based, BSA, Safe
Ranges)............................................................................................................2
Subtopic 2: Pediatric IV Flow Rate & Reconstitution Calculations..................11
Subtopic 3: Pediatric Medication Conversions & Units (mg ↔ mcg, tsp ↔ mL,
gr ↔ mg, etc.)................................................................................................20
Subtopic 4: Pediatric Medication Safety — High-Alert Medications, Double
Checks, and the 10 Rights of Medication Administration...............................28
Subtopic 5: Intravenous (IV) Dosage Calculations in Pediatrics (Questions 81–
100)...............................................................................................................38
Subtopic 6: Pediatric Intravenous (IV) Fluid Calculations and Infusion Rates.45
Subtopic 7: Pediatric High-Alert Medications and Risk Mitigation..................53
Subtopic 8: Pediatric IV Medication Administration and Compatibility...........61
Subtopic 9: Medication Timing, Frequency, and Safe Scheduling in Pediatric
Care...............................................................................................................69
Subtopic 10: Pediatric IV Medications, Compatibility, and Titration
Calculations...................................................................................................77
, 2
Subtopic 1: Basic Pediatric Dosage
Calculations (Weight-Based, BSA, Safe
Ranges)
Questions 1–20
Question 1
A 3-year-old child weighing 15 kg is prescribed ceftriaxone 75 mg/kg/day
divided into two doses. How many milligrams should the nurse administer
per dose?
A. 375 mg
B. 562.5 mg
C. 1125 mg
D. 750 mg
Correct Answer: B. 562.5 mg
Rationale: Multiply 75 mg/kg × 15 kg = 1125 mg/day. Divide by 2 doses:
1125 ÷ 2 = 562.5 mg per dose.
Question 2
A 12-month-old infant weighing 10 kg is ordered acetaminophen 15
mg/kg/dose every 6 hours. What is the correct dose per administration?
A. 150 mg
B. 120 mg
C. 100 mg
D. 200 mg
, 3
Correct Answer: A. 150 mg
Rationale: 15 mg/kg × 10 kg = 150 mg per dose. Ensure correct interval and
max daily dose (not to exceed 75 mg/kg/day).
Question 3
A pediatric patient requires a dose of 8 mg/kg/day of gentamicin, divided into
three equal doses. The child weighs 18 kg. How much should the nurse
administer per dose?
A. 48 mg
B. 36 mg
C. 48 mg
D. 24 mg
Correct Answer: C. 48 mg
Rationale: 8 mg/kg/day × 18 kg = 144 mg/day. Divide by 3 = 48 mg per
dose.
Question 4
A 7-year-old child weighing 22 kg is prescribed amoxicillin 40 mg/kg/day in
two divided doses. What is the total daily dose?
A. 880 mg
B. 440 mg
C. 660 mg
D. 1320 mg
, 4
Correct Answer: A. 880 mg
Rationale: 40 mg/kg × 22 kg = 880 mg/day. For divided dosing, each dose =
440 mg.
Question 5
Calculate the safe dose range for furosemide 1–2 mg/kg/dose for a child
weighing 12 kg.
A. 6–24 mg
B. 6–12 mg
C. 12–24 mg
D. 10–20 mg
Correct Answer: C. 12–24 mg
Rationale: 1 mg/kg × 12 kg = 12 mg (low end); 2 mg/kg × 12 kg = 24 mg
(high end).
Question 6
A provider prescribes 20 mg of a medication. The safe dose range is 1–2
mg/kg, and the child weighs 9 kg. Is the dose safe?
A. Yes, the dose is below range
B. No, the dose is too low
C. No, the dose exceeds the safe range
D. Yes, the dose is within range
Correct Answer: C. No, the dose exceeds the safe range
