Edition By Sheila J. Ogden – Test
Round all answers to medication problems to the nearest tenth. Kilogram weights should be
rounded immediately, before proceeding with the problem. Otherwise, don't round until you
get to the final answer. Answers that are not correctly rounded to the nearest tenth are
graded as incorrect. For example, 3.25 is rounded to 3.3.
I.V. flow problems are rounded to the nearest whole
drop. For example, 33.3 is rounded to 33 drops.
If the answer is less than 1, with no whole number before the decimal point, ALWAYS place
a zero in front of the decimal. This is a safety issue. An answer on the test not preceded by
a zero as appropriate will be graded as an incorrect notation. For example, .7 must be
written as 0.7 in order to be considered appropriate notation.
If the answer is 1,000 or above indicate the number with a comma.
ALWAYS omit terminal zeros. Answer containing terminal zeros violate patient safety
standards, and will be graded as an incorrect notation. For example 12.50 must be
written as 12.5
in order to be considered appropriate notation.
The answer must be labeled in correct terms. In incorrectly labeled answer is considered a
wrong
answer. For example, 7 mg is not the same as 7 mL.
Metric units of measure are expressed indecimals; apothecary units of measure are
expressed in
fractions. For example, 30 mg = Yz gr. Fractions must always be reduced to lowest terms.
8. Onthetest,circleyourONEfinalanswer.Ifanyanswerinthecircleinincorrect,theansweris
graded an incorrect. Ifno answer is circled, then the question is determined to be
unanswered and graded as incorrect.
1gtt 1 mL
1 mL =
1mL I cc
Conversions
2.2lb = 1kg
1 minim
15 minims =
1grain t oz
t dram
1t =SmL I T lS mL
Roman Numerals
1=I 5=v IO x
= 60 mg = 30mL
15 gtt
= 4 mL
t ern =
lOmm 1inch = 2.Scm
2
Sample Problems for Basic Dosage Calculation
Order: Amoxicillin 0.25 g p.o. every 8 hours. Available: Amoxicillin 125mg tablets.
How many tablets will the nurse give per dose?
, Order: Zofran 8 mg p.o.t.i.d.
Available: Zofran in a 100 mL bottle labeled 4 mg/tsp. How many mL will the
nurse administer for each dose?
Order: Morphine gr 1/10 Available: Morphine 10mg/mL How many mL will the nurse give?
Answers at the end of study guide.
Sample Problems for Pediatric Dose Calculation Based on Weight and BSA
Give Fortaz 50 mg/kg p.o. t.i.d. to a child who weighs 25.5 kg. Fortaz is available in
an oral suspension labeled 100mg/mL. How many
mL would the nurse administer per dose?
Give Ceclor 45 mg/kg/day p.o. in 3 divided doses for a patient who weighs 66 pounds. A
75 mL stock medication is labeled Ceclor 125 mg/mL. How many mL would the
nurse administer per dose?
Give Biaxin for a child whose BSA is 0.55 m2. The usual adult dose
is 500 mg. Biaxin is available in an oral suspension. The 100 Ml bottle is labeled 50
mg/mL. How many mL would the nurse give per dose?
Give Phenergan for a child whose BSA is 1.2 m2• The usual adult dose
is 25 mg. How many milligrams would the nurse administer for the dose?
Answers at the end of study guide.
Sample Problems for I.V . Drip Rate Calculations and Infusion Times
8. LR 125 mL/hr via gravity flow using tubing calibrated at 15 gtt/mL. Calculate the flow rate.
9. One liter NS to infuse over 24 hours using a microdrip (gravity flow). Calculate the flow
rate.
10.At the change of shift you notice 200 mL left to count in the I.V. bag. The I.V.is
infusing at 80 mL/hr. How much longer will the I.V. run? (Express your answer in
hours and minutes.)
11.Keflin2ginI00mLDsWIVPBover20minutes. TheI.V.tubingis15gtt/mL. Calculatethe flow
rate.
Answers at the end of study guide.
3
Sample Problems for Continuous l.V.
Heparin Drip Calculations 12.Thephysicianwritesanorderforheparin900units/hr.
ThelabelontheI.V.bagreads: Heparin
10,000 units in 500 mL D5W . How many mL/hr will deliver the correct dose?
13._Administer Heparin 1,000 units/hr from an l.V. bag mixed 40,000 units in 1 L DsW. How
many
mL/hr will deliver the correct amount of heparin?
14. The patient's heparin is infusing at 28 mL/hr on an infusion pwnp. The bag of fluid is
mixed
20,000 units of heparin in 500 mL D5W. What hourly dose of heparin is the patient
receiving? 15.The patient's heparin drip is infusing at 11 mL/hr on an
infusion pwnp. The bag of fluid is mixed
25,000 units of heparin in 250 mL DsW. What hourly dose of heparin is the patient
receiving? Answers at the end of study guide.
Sample Problems for Critical Care Calculations for I.V. Infusions
Calculating the lm/hr Rate
16.GiveRegularinsulinbycontinuousI.V.infusionat20units/hr. Thesolutionis250mLNSwith 100
units of Regular insulin. What rate on the infusion pump will deliver the correct dose?