Dosage Calculation Practice Problems with Answers
Dosage calculation practice for independent study: work 68 original problems, each with the setup shown in the answer and the method quoted from the Open RN Nursing Skills math calculations chapter or the StatPearls desired-over-have chapter on NCBI Bookshelf. Every answer was recomputed in code.
Original dosage calculation practice problems with worked answers: tablets, oral liquids, injections, conversions, weight-based doses, safe ranges, IV pump and drip rates, infusion times and critical-care drips.
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01The order is metoprolol tartrate 50 mg by mouth, and the tablets on hand are 25 mg each. How many tablets should the nurse give?
2 tablets. Desired over have: 50 mg ÷ 25 mg × 1 tablet = 2.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Desired Dose/Amount on Hand × Quantity = x”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗02The order is levothyroxine 0.15 mg by mouth, and the tablets on hand are 75 mcg each. How many tablets should the nurse give?
2 tablets. Convert first: 0.15 mg = 150 mcg. Desired over have: 150 mcg ÷ 75 mcg × 1 tablet = 2.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Units of measurement must match, for example, mL and mL, or the clinician needs to convert the values to like units of measurement.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗03The order is metformin 1 g by mouth, and the tablets on hand are 500 mg each. How many tablets should the nurse give?
2 tablets. Convert first: 1 g = 1000 mg. Desired over have: 1000 mg ÷ 500 mg × 1 tablet = 2.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Units of measurement must match, for example, mL and mL, or the clinician needs to convert the values to like units of measurement.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗04The order is furosemide 20 mg by mouth, and the tablets on hand are 40 mg each. How many tablets should the nurse give?
0.5 tablet. Desired over have: 20 mg ÷ 40 mg × 1 tablet = 0.5.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Desired Dose/Amount on Hand × Quantity = x”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗05The order is warfarin 7.5 mg by mouth, and the tablets on hand are 2.5 mg each. How many tablets should the nurse give?
3 tablets. Desired over have: 7.5 mg ÷ 2.5 mg × 1 tablet = 3.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Desired Dose/Amount on Hand × Quantity = x”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗06An oral suspension of amoxicillin is labeled 250 mg per 5 mL. The order is 400 mg. How many mL should the nurse measure?
8 mL. 400 mg ÷ 250 mg × 5 mL = 8 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Dosages of oral liquid medications for adults are typically rounded to the tenth for doses over 1 mL, with 0.05 and above rounding up and 0.04 and lower rounding down.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗07An oral solution of potassium chloride is labeled 20 mEq per 15 mL. The order is 30 mEq. How many mL should the nurse measure?
22.5 mL. 30 mEq ÷ 20 mEq × 15 mL = 22.5 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Milliequivalents are used in electrolyte replacement, such as Potassium 40 mEq.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗08An oral solution of ondansetron is labeled 4 mg per 5 mL. The order is 6 mg. How many mL should the nurse measure?
7.5 mL. 6 mg ÷ 4 mg × 5 mL = 7.5 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Dosages of oral liquid medications for adults are typically rounded to the tenth for doses over 1 mL, with 0.05 and above rounding up and 0.04 and lower rounding down.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗09An oral solution of digoxin is labeled 50 mcg per 1 mL. The order is 37.5 mcg. How many mL should the nurse measure?
0.75 mL. 37.5 mcg ÷ 50 mcg × 1 mL = 0.75 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Oral liquid medications less than 1 mL should be rounded to the hundredth.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗10An oral solution of prednisolone is labeled 15 mg per 5 mL. The order is 22 mg. How many mL should the nurse measure?
7.3 mL. 22 mg ÷ 15 mg × 5 mL = about 7.33 mL, which rounds to 7.3 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Dosages of oral liquid medications for adults are typically rounded to the tenth for doses over 1 mL, with 0.05 and above rounding up and 0.04 and lower rounding down.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗11A vial of ketorolac contains 30 mg per mL. The order is 15 mg IM. How many mL should the nurse draw up?
0.5 mL. 15 mg ÷ 30 mg per mL = 0.5 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Oral liquid medications less than 1 mL should be rounded to the hundredth.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗12A vial of heparin contains 5,000 units per mL. The order is 7,500 units subcutaneously. How many mL should the nurse draw up?
1.5 mL. 7500 units ÷ 5000 units per mL = 1.5 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Units are used in insulin, heparin, and pitocin, dosages.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗13A vial of morphine contains 4 mg per mL. The order is 3 mg IV push. How many mL should the nurse draw up?
0.75 mL. 3 mg ÷ 4 mg per mL = 0.75 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Oral liquid medications less than 1 mL should be rounded to the hundredth.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗14A vial of famotidine contains 10 mg per mL. The order is 20 mg IV push. How many mL should the nurse draw up?
2 mL. 20 mg ÷ 10 mg per mL = 2 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Desired Dose/Amount on Hand × Quantity = x”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗15A vial of cyanocobalamin contains 1,000 mcg per mL. The order is 800 mcg IM. How many mL should the nurse draw up?
0.8 mL. 800 mcg ÷ 1000 mcg per mL = 0.8 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Oral liquid medications less than 1 mL should be rounded to the hundredth.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗16A vial of furosemide contains 10 mg per mL. The order is 35 mg IV push. How many mL should the nurse draw up?
3.5 mL. 35 mg ÷ 10 mg per mL = 3.5 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Desired Dose/Amount on Hand × Quantity = x”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗17After the diluent is added as the label directs, a vial of ceftriaxone yields 100 mg per mL. The order is 750 mg. How many mL should the nurse withdraw?
7.5 mL. 750 mg ÷ 100 mg per mL = 7.5 mL. Use the concentration made after mixing, not the powder amount in the vial.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Reconstitution is the process of adding a liquid diluent to a dry ingredient to make a specific concentration of liquid.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗18After the diluent is added as the label directs, a vial of ampicillin yields 250 mg per mL. The order is 0.4 g. How many mL should the nurse withdraw?
1.6 mL. 0.4 g = 400 mg; 400 mg ÷ 250 mg per mL = 1.6 mL. Use the concentration made after mixing, not the powder amount in the vial.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Reconstitution is the process of adding a liquid diluent to a dry ingredient to make a specific concentration of liquid.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗19After the diluent is added as the label directs, a vial of vancomycin yields 50 mg per mL. The order is 1.25 g. How many mL should the nurse withdraw?
25 mL. 1.25 g = 1250 mg; 1250 mg ÷ 50 mg per mL = 25 mL. Use the concentration made after mixing, not the powder amount in the vial.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Reconstitution is the process of adding a liquid diluent to a dry ingredient to make a specific concentration of liquid.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗20How many mg are in 0.25 g?
250 mg. To change g to mg, multiply by 1000.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“When converting to a smaller unit, the decimal moves to the right”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗21How many mcg are in 0.4 mg?
400 mcg. To change mg to mcg, multiply by 1000.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“When converting to a smaller unit, the decimal moves to the right”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗22How many mg are in 1500 mcg?
1.5 mg. To change mcg to mg, divide by 1000.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“When converting to a larger unit, the decimal moves to the left.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗23How many g are in 2500 mg?
2.5 g. To change mg to g, divide by 1000.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“When converting to a larger unit, the decimal moves to the left.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗24How many mL are in 1.5 L?
1500 mL. To change L to mL, multiply by 1000.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“When converting to a smaller unit, the decimal moves to the right”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗25How many L are in 750 mL?
0.75 L. To change mL to L, divide by 1000.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“When converting to a larger unit, the decimal moves to the left.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗26How many kg are in 165 lb?
75 kg. To change lb to kg, divide by 2.2: 165 ÷ 2.2 = 75.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Drug calculations require conversion factors, such as converting from pounds to kilograms or from L to mL.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗27How many kg are in 47 lb? Round to the tenth.
21.4 kg. To change lb to kg, divide by 2.2: 47 ÷ 2.2 = about 21.36, which rounds to 21.4.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Drug calculations require conversion factors, such as converting from pounds to kilograms or from L to mL.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗28How many lb are in 30 kg?
66 lb. To change kg to lb, multiply by 2.2.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Drug calculations require conversion factors, such as converting from pounds to kilograms or from L to mL.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗29How many mL are in 2 tsp?
10 mL. To change tsp to mL, multiply by 5.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“teaspoon (tsp) 1 tsp = 5 mL tablespoon (Tbsp or Tbs) 1 Tbsp = 3 tsp = 15 mL”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗30How many mL are in 1.5 Tbsp?
22.5 mL. To change Tbsp to mL, multiply by 15.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“teaspoon (tsp) 1 tsp = 5 mL tablespoon (Tbsp or Tbs) 1 Tbsp = 3 tsp = 15 mL”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗31How many mL are in 6 oz?
180 mL. To change oz to mL, multiply by 30.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“ounce (oz) 1 oz = 30 mL pound (lb) 1 lb = 16 oz cup (C) 1 C = 8 oz = 240 mL”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗32How many mL are in 1.5 cups?
360 mL. To change cups to mL, multiply by 240.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“ounce (oz) 1 oz = 30 mL pound (lb) 1 lb = 16 oz cup (C) 1 C = 8 oz = 240 mL”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗33A child weighing 18 kg is prescribed ibuprofen 10 mg/kg by mouth as a single dose. The suspension on hand is 100 mg per 5 mL. How many mL should the nurse give?
9 mL. 18 kg × 10 mg/kg = 180 mg; 180 mg ÷ 100 mg × 5 mL = 9 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“When performing calculations, do not round until calculating the final answer.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗34A child weighing 33 lb is prescribed amoxicillin 25 mg/kg by mouth as a single dose. The suspension on hand is 400 mg per 5 mL. How many mL should the nurse give?
4.7 mL. 33 lb ÷ 2.2 = 15 kg (do not round yet); 15 kg × 25 mg/kg = 375 mg; 375 mg ÷ 400 mg × 5 mL = 4.6875 mL, which rounds to 4.7 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Drug calculations require conversion factors, such as converting from pounds to kilograms or from L to mL.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗35A child weighing 44 lb is prescribed cephalexin 12.5 mg/kg by mouth as a single dose. The suspension on hand is 250 mg per 5 mL. How many mL should the nurse give?
5 mL. 44 lb ÷ 2.2 = 20 kg (do not round yet); 20 kg × 12.5 mg/kg = 250 mg; 250 mg ÷ 250 mg × 5 mL = 5 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Drug calculations require conversion factors, such as converting from pounds to kilograms or from L to mL.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗36A child weighing 26 lb is prescribed ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg by mouth as a single dose. The solution on hand is 4 mg per 5 mL. How many mL should the nurse give?
2.2 mL. 26 lb ÷ 2.2 = about 11.82 kg (do not round yet); about 11.82 kg × 0.15 mg/kg = about 1.77 mg; about 1.77 mg ÷ 4 mg × 5 mL = about 2.22 mL, which rounds to 2.2 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Drug calculations require conversion factors, such as converting from pounds to kilograms or from L to mL.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗37The safe dose of ibuprofen is 5 to 10 mg/kg per dose. A child who weighs 14 kg has an order for 120 mg per dose. Is the order within the safe range?
Yes. The safe range is 70 to 140 mg per dose (14 kg × 5 and × 10 mg/kg), and 120 mg falls inside it.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Medication errors often occur in children, who have smaller ranges of safe dosage than adults due to their smaller weight.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗38The safe dose of cephalexin is 6.25 to 12.5 mg/kg per dose. A child who weighs 18 kg has an order for 250 mg per dose. Is the order within the safe range?
No. The safe range is 112.5 to 225 mg per dose (18 kg × 6.25 and × 12.5 mg/kg); 250 mg is above the high end, so hold the dose and clarify the order with the prescriber.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Medication errors often occur in children, who have smaller ranges of safe dosage than adults due to their smaller weight.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗39The safe dose of ondansetron is 0.1 to 0.15 mg/kg per dose. A child who weighs 20 kg has an order for 1 mg per dose. Is the order within the safe range?
No. The safe range is 2 to 3 mg per dose (20 kg × 0.1 and × 0.15 mg/kg); 1 mg is below the low end, so clarify the order with the prescriber.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Medication errors often occur in children, who have smaller ranges of safe dosage than adults due to their smaller weight.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗401,000 mL of normal saline is to infuse over 8 hours on an infusion pump. What rate in mL/hr should the nurse program?
125 mL/hr. 1000 mL ÷ 8 hr = 125 mL/hr.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“When setting up a dosage calculation using dimensional analysis, it is important to begin by identifying the goal unit to be solved.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗41500 mL of lactated Ringer's solution is to infuse over 6 hours on an infusion pump. What rate in mL/hr should the nurse program?
83.3 mL/hr. 500 mL ÷ 6 hr = about 83.33 mL/hr, which rounds to 83.3.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“When setting up a dosage calculation using dimensional analysis, it is important to begin by identifying the goal unit to be solved.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗42250 mL of vancomycin is to infuse over 90 minutes on an infusion pump. What rate in mL/hr should the nurse program?
166.7 mL/hr. 90 min ÷ 60 = 1.5 hr; 250 mL ÷ 1.5 hr = about 166.67 mL/hr, which rounds to 166.7.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“When setting up a dosage calculation using dimensional analysis, it is important to begin by identifying the goal unit to be solved.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗4350 mL of famotidine is to infuse over 15 minutes on an infusion pump. What rate in mL/hr should the nurse program?
200 mL/hr. 15 min ÷ 60 = 0.25 hr; 50 mL ÷ 0.25 hr = 200 mL/hr.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“When setting up a dosage calculation using dimensional analysis, it is important to begin by identifying the goal unit to be solved.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗441,200 mL of dextrose 5% in water is to infuse by gravity over 10 hours with tubing that has a drop factor of 10 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute should the nurse regulate?
20 gtt/min. 1200 mL × 10 gtt/mL ÷ 600 min = 20 gtt/min.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“includes tubing with drop factors of 10, 12, 15, or 20 drops per milliliter and is typically used to deliver general IV solutions to adults.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗45750 mL of lactated Ringer's solution is to infuse by gravity over 6 hours with tubing that has a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute should the nurse regulate?
31 gtt/min. 750 mL × 15 gtt/mL ÷ 360 min = 31.25 gtt/min, rounded to the nearest whole drop.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“includes tubing with drop factors of 10, 12, 15, or 20 drops per milliliter and is typically used to deliver general IV solutions to adults.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗46100 mL of ceftriaxone is to infuse by gravity over 45 minutes with tubing that has a drop factor of 20 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute should the nurse regulate?
44 gtt/min. 100 mL × 20 gtt/mL ÷ 45 min = about 44.44 gtt/min, rounded to the nearest whole drop.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“includes tubing with drop factors of 10, 12, 15, or 20 drops per milliliter and is typically used to deliver general IV solutions to adults.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗47250 mL of half-normal saline is to infuse by gravity over 5 hours with tubing that has a drop factor of 60 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute should the nurse regulate?
50 gtt/min. 250 mL × 60 gtt/mL ÷ 300 min = 50 gtt/min.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“includes tubing with a drop factor of 60 drops per milliliter. It is typically used to deliver precise amounts of medication in small drops to children and infants.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗48An IV of normal saline is ordered at 125 mL/hr by gravity, and the tubing drop factor is 20 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute should the nurse count?
42 gtt/min. 125 mL/hr × 20 gtt/mL ÷ 60 min = about 41.67 gtt/min, rounded to the nearest whole drop.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“a drop cannot be administered as a fraction of a drop, so drops are rounded to the nearest whole number.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗49An IV of dextrose 5% in water is ordered at 40 mL/hr by gravity, and the tubing drop factor is 60 gtt/mL. How many drops per minute should the nurse count?
40 gtt/min. 40 mL/hr × 60 gtt/mL ÷ 60 min = 40 gtt/min.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“a drop cannot be administered as a fraction of a drop, so drops are rounded to the nearest whole number.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗50A bag holding 1,000 mL of normal saline is infusing at 80 mL/hr. How long will the bag take to finish?
12 hours 30 minutes. 1000 mL ÷ 80 mL/hr = 12.5 hr; 0.5 hr × 60 = 30 minutes.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“When performing calculations related to time, it is important to remember that anything after the decimal is a portion of an hour and needs to be converted to minutes.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗51A bag holding 250 mL of lactated Ringer's solution is infusing at 60 mL/hr. How long will the bag take to finish?
4 hours 10 minutes. 250 mL ÷ 60 mL/hr = about 4.17 hr; about 0.1667 hr × 60 = 10 minutes.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“When performing calculations related to time, it is important to remember that anything after the decimal is a portion of an hour and needs to be converted to minutes.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗52A bag holding 500 mL of dextrose 5% in water is infusing at 125 mL/hr. How long will the bag take to finish?
4 hours. 500 mL ÷ 125 mL/hr = 4 hr.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“When performing calculations related to time, it is important to remember that anything after the decimal is a portion of an hour and needs to be converted to minutes.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗53A bag holding 1,000 mL of normal saline is started at 0630 and runs at 125 mL/hr. At what military time will it finish?
1430. 1000 mL ÷ 125 mL/hr = 8 hr 0 min; 0630 + 8 hr 0 min = 1430.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Using military time is the standard method used to indicate time for medication administration.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗54A bag holding 500 mL of lactated Ringer's solution is started at 1915 and runs at 100 mL/hr. At what military time will it finish?
0015 the next day. 500 mL ÷ 100 mL/hr = 5 hr 0 min; 1915 + 5 hr 0 min = 0015.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Using military time is the standard method used to indicate time for medication administration.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗55A bag holding 250 mL of half-normal saline is started at 1340 and runs at 150 mL/hr. At what military time will it finish?
1520. 250 mL ÷ 150 mL/hr = 1 hr 40 min; 1340 + 1 hr 40 min = 1520.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Using military time is the standard method used to indicate time for medication administration.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗56Heparin 25,000 units in 500 mL is ordered at 1,000 units/hr. What pump rate in mL/hr should the nurse set?
20 mL/hr. Concentration 25000 units ÷ 500 mL = 50 units/mL; 1000 units/hr ÷ 50 units/mL = 20 mL/hr.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Units are used in insulin, heparin, and pitocin, dosages.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗57Regular insulin 100 units in 100 mL is ordered at 6.5 units/hr. What pump rate in mL/hr should the nurse set?
6.5 mL/hr. Concentration 100 units ÷ 100 mL = 1 units/mL; 6.5 units/hr ÷ 1 units/mL = 6.5 mL/hr.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Units are used in insulin, heparin, and pitocin, dosages.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗58Diltiazem 125 mg in 125 mL is ordered at 15 mg/hr. What pump rate in mL/hr should the nurse set?
15 mL/hr. Concentration 125 mg ÷ 125 mL = 1 mg/mL; 15 mg/hr ÷ 1 mg/mL = 15 mL/hr.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Desired Dose/Amount on Hand × Quantity = x”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗59Dopamine 400 mg in 250 mL is ordered at 5 mcg/kg/min for a patient who weighs 80 kg. What pump rate in mL/hr should the nurse set?
15 mL/hr. 5 mcg/kg/min × 80 kg = 400 mcg/min; 400 mcg/min × 60 ÷ 1000 = 24 mg/hr; 400 mg ÷ 250 mL = 1.6 mg/mL; 24 ÷ 1.6 = 15 mL/hr.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“1 liter 1000 mL = 1000 cc 1 gram 1000 mg 1 mg 1000 mcg”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗60Dobutamine 250 mg in 250 mL is ordered at 2.5 mcg/kg/min for a patient who weighs 72 kg. What pump rate in mL/hr should the nurse set?
10.8 mL/hr. 2.5 mcg/kg/min × 72 kg = 180 mcg/min; 180 mcg/min × 60 ÷ 1000 = 10.8 mg/hr; 250 mg ÷ 250 mL = 1 mg/mL; 10.8 ÷ 1 = 10.8 mL/hr.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“1 liter 1000 mL = 1000 cc 1 gram 1000 mg 1 mg 1000 mcg”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗61Norepinephrine 4 mg in 250 mL is ordered at 8 mcg/min. What pump rate in mL/hr should the nurse set?
30 mL/hr. 8 mcg/min × 60 ÷ 1000 = 0.48 mg/hr; 4 mg ÷ 250 mL = 0.016 mg/mL; 0.48 ÷ 0.016 = 30 mL/hr.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“1 liter 1000 mL = 1000 cc 1 gram 1000 mg 1 mg 1000 mcg”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗62How many grams of dextrose are in 500 mL of a 5% solution?
25 g. A 5% solution holds 5 g per 100 mL, so 5 g × 500 mL ÷ 100 mL = 25 g.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Percentages are used in intravenous (IV) fluids, such as 0.9% Normal Saline IV fluid, meaning 9 g of NaCl are diluted in 1000 mL water.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗63How many grams of sodium chloride are in 250 mL of a 0.45% solution?
1.125 g. A 0.45% solution holds 0.45 g per 100 mL, so 0.45 g × 250 mL ÷ 100 mL = 1.125 g.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Percentages are used in intravenous (IV) fluids, such as 0.9% Normal Saline IV fluid, meaning 9 g of NaCl are diluted in 1000 mL water.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗64A 1:1,000 epinephrine solution is used for an ordered dose of 0.3 mg. How many mL contain that dose?
0.3 mL. 1:1,000 means 1 g (1000 mg) in 1,000 mL, which is 1 mg/mL; 0.3 mg ÷ 1 mg/mL = 0.3 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Ratios are used in medications such as Epinephrine 1:1000, meaning 1 gram of Epinephrine is diluted in 1000 mL of fluid (equivalent to 1 mg/mL).”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗65A 1:10,000 epinephrine solution is used for an ordered dose of 1 mg. How many mL contain that dose?
10 mL. 1:10,000 means 1 g (1000 mg) in 10,000 mL, which is 0.1 mg/mL; 1 mg ÷ 0.1 mg/mL = 10 mL.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Ratios are used in medications such as Epinephrine 1:1000, meaning 1 gram of Epinephrine is diluted in 1000 mL of fluid (equivalent to 1 mg/mL).”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗66What is 3:45 PM in military time?
1545. For a PM time, remove the colon and add 1200: 345 + 1200 = 1545.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Conversion of a PM time to military time involves removing the colon and adding 1200 to the time.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗67What is 7:05 AM in military time?
0705. For an AM time, remove the colon and add a leading zero: 0705.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Conversion of an AM time to military time simply involves removing the colon and adding a zero to the time.”
— NCBI Bookshelf (National Library of Medicine, NIH) ↗68What is 11:20 PM in military time?
2320. For a PM time, remove the colon and add 1200: 1120 + 1200 = 2320.
VERIFIED AGAINST THE SOURCE
“Conversion of a PM time to military time involves removing the colon and adding 1200 to the time.”
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