Hesi Dosage Calculation
A client who is complaining of nausea and vomiting postoperatively receives a prescription for metoclopramide (Reglan) 10 mg IV. The medication is available in vials containing 5 mg/ml. How many ml should the PN administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
2 10 mg : X ml = 5 mg : 1 ml 5X = 10 X = 2 ml
A client is receiving ethambutol hydrochloride (Myambutol) 1.6 grams PO daily. How many mg of ethambutol hydrochloride (Myambutol) should the PN administer? (Enter numerical value only.)
1600 1 mg = 0.001 grams1.60 grams x 1 mg/0.001 grams = 1600 mg
A client receives a prescription for nafcillin 0.75 gams IV. The dispensed medication is labeled in mg. How many mg should the practical nurse administer? (Enter numerical value only.)
750 1 mg = 0.001 gram0.75 g x 1 mg/0.001 g = 750 mg
A client is receiving dantrolene sodium (Dantrium) PO for malignant hyperthermia. The maximum safe dose is 8 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses. The client currently weighs 48.5kg. What is the maximum safe dose the practical nurse should calculate? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
97 Determine the maximum number of mg this client should receive in a day: 48.5kg x 8mg/kg/day = 388mg/day Next determine how many mg the nurse should deliver each dose: 388mg/4 doses = 97mg
The healthcare provider prescribes phytonadione (AquaMEPHYTON) 250 mcg IM to be administered to an infant within 1 hour of admission to the nursery. A 0.5 ml ampule labeled 2 mg in 1 ml is available. The practical nurse should administer how many ml? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest hundredth.)
0.13 Change mcg to mg, 1000 mcg = 1 mg Use ratio and proportion to calculate the dose: 2 mg : 1 ml :: 0.25 mg : X ml 2X = 0.25 mg X = 0.125 =0.13 ml
A client's daily PO prescription for aripiprazole (Abilify) is increased from 15 mg to 30 mg. The medication is available in 15 mg tablets, and the client already received one tablet today. How many additiona l tablets should the practical nurse administer so the client receives the total newly prescribed dose for the day? (Enter numeric v alue only.)
1 30 mg (total dose) - 15 mg (dose already administered) = 15 mg that still needs to be administered. Using the Desired/Have formula: 15 mg/15 mg = 1 tablet
A client is receiving alprazolam (Xanax) 0.75 mg PO bid for anxiety. Alprazolam is available in 0.5 mg scored tablets. How many tablets should the practical nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
1.5 Using the formula, Desired / Available x 1 tablet = 0.75 mg / 0.5 mg x 1 = 1.5 tablets
A client with dehydration receives a prescription for an IV of lactated Ringer's 1,000 ml to be administered over 8 hours. The practical nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only.)
125 Use the ratio of: 1000 ml : 8 hours :: X : 1 hour 1000/X :: 8/1 X = 125 ml/hour
A client with a gastrostomy tube (GT) receives a prescription for Osmolite 1/2 strength enteral formula at 80 ml/hour. To prepare a 4 hour solution, the PN should dilute the full-strength formula with how many ml of water? (Enter numeric value only.)
160 Determine the total volume needed at 80 ml/hour x 4 hours = 320 ml. Use the formula, Desired strength/strength on Hand x Volume = 50/100 x 320 = 160 ml of Osmolite enteral formula, which must be diluted to half strength. Or use ratio and proportion, Desired strength (1/2 = 1 part : 2 parts) :: Volume of full strength : Total Desire volume 1 : 2 :: X : 320 ml 2X = 320, and X = 160 ml of Osmolite enteral formula, full strength 320 ml total volume - 160 ml of full-strength formula = 160 ml of water to create 1/2 strength or 50% concentration
A client with hypernatremia is to receive an IV infusion of 1000 ml 5% dextrose in water to be infused over 6 hours. The practical nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
167 Calculate using the ratio: 1000 ml : 6 hours :: X ml : 1 hour 1000/X :: 6/1 6X = 1000 X = 167 ml/hour
The healthcare provider prescribes an IV infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride with 40 mEq KCl/500 ml to infuse over 3 hours for a client with hypokalemia. The practical nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
167 To determine ml/hour: 500 ml : 3 hours :: as X ml : 1 hour 500/X :: 3/1 500 = 3X X = 166.66 (rounds to)= 167 ml/hour
The healthcare provider prescribes acetaminophen elixir (Tylenol elixir) 600 mg PO q6 hours for an adult client experiencing pain associated with maxillofacial surgery. The bottle is labeled 500 mg/15 ml. How many ml should the practical nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
18 Using the formula D/H x Q: 600 mg/500mg x 15 ml = 18 ml
A client admitted to the unit from the emergency room receives a prescription for an IV infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride 1,000 ml at 750 ml/4 hours. The IV administration set delivers 60 gtts/ml. The practical nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many gtts/minute? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
188 First convert hours to minutes: 4 hours x 60 = 240 minutes Using formula Volume/Time x gtt factor: 750 ml/240 min = 3.125 x 60gtts = 187.5 (rounding to) 188 gtts/minute
A client with pericardial effusion has phrenic nerve compression resulting in recurrent hiccups. The healthcare provider prescribes metoclopramide (Reglan) liquid 10 mg PO q6 hours. Reglan is available as 5 mg/5 ml. A measuring device marked in teaspoons is being used. How many teaspoons should the practical nurse administer?
2 First, using the formula, Desired dose/dose on Hand x Quantity of volume on hand (D/H x Q), 10 mg / 5 mg x 5ml = 10 ml Next using the known conversion of 5 ml = 1 tsp: 5 ml : 1 tsp :: 10 ml : X 5 / 10 : 1 / X 5X = 10 X = 2
A client who has a sinus infection is receiving a prescription for amoxicillin/clavulanate potassium (Augmentin) 500 mg PO q8 hours. The available form is 250 mg amoxicillin/125mg clavulanate tablets. How many tablets should the practical nurse administer for each dose? (Enter numeric value only.)
2 Using the known equivalent, 1 gram = 1000 mg, the nurse should first convert the dose to the same unit of measurement, which is 1 gram = 1000 mg. Using the formula, Desired / Available x 1 tablets: 1000 mg / 500 mg x 1 = 2 tablets
A client with type 2 diabetes is receiving metformin (Glucophage) 1 gram PO twice daily. The medication is available in 500 mg tablets. How many tablets should the practical nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
2 Using the known equivalent, 1 gram = 1000 mg, the nurse should first convert the dose to the same unit of measurement, which is 1 gram = 1000 mg. Using the formula, Desired / Available x 1 tablets: 1000 mg / 500 mg x 1 = 2 tablets
The healthcare provider prescribes furosemide (Lasix) 25 mg IV. The drug is available in a solution of 40 mg/4ml. How many ml should the practical nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
2.5 Using the formula D/H x Q: 25 mg/40 mg x 4 ml = 2.5 ml
A client receives a prescription for itraconazole (Sporanox) 0.2 grams PO daily. The dispensed medication is labeled in mg. How many mg of itraconazole (Sporanox) should the practical nurse administer? (Enter numerical value only.)
200 1 gram = 1,000 mg, so 0.2 grams = X mgX = 0.2 gram x 1,000 mg = 200 mg
A client who had a small bowel resection two weeks ago is receiving 3/4 strength Ensure feedings 275 ml q4 hours via nasogastric tube. Full strength Ensure is available in a 240 ml can. The practical nurse (PN) should use how many ml of Ensure to prepare the feeding? (Enter numeric value only. Round to nearest whole number if needed.)
206 Using the formula Desired % / on Hand % x Volume Desired = 75/100 x 275 = .75 x 275 = 206 Ensure 206 ml Ensure + 69ml water = 275 ml (75% solution)
A client with hypertension receives a prescription for carteolol (Cartel) 7.5mg PO daily. The drug is available in 2.5 mg tablets. How many tablets should the practical nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only.)
3 Using D/H: 7.5mg / 2.5mg = 3 tablets
Docusate sodium (Colace) 0.3 grams is prescribed for a client who has frequent constipation. Each capsule contains 100 mg. How many capsules should the practical nurse administer?
3 Using the known equivalent, 1 gram = 1000 mg, the nurse should first convert the dose to the same unit of measurement, which is 0.3 gram = 300 milligram. Using the formula, Desired / Available x 1 capsule = 300/100 x 1 = 3 capsules. Fill in the blank
A client who weighs 70 pounds receives a prescription for phenytoin (Dilantin) PO. The practical nurse (PN) refers to the published drug literature which recommends the dose of 10 mg/kg/day. How many mg should the PN determine is the recommended dose for this client? (Enter numerical value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
318 2.2 pounds = 1 kg, so 70 pounds = 31.8181 kg31.8181 x 10 mg/1 kg/day = 318.181 or 318 mg/day
A client is receiving an IV solution of 2 grams of medication diluted in 100 ml of normal saline over a one hour time period. How many mg of medication is the client receiving per minute? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.)
33 2 grams = 2000 mg 1 hour = 60 minutes 2000 mg/60 minutes = 33.333 mg/minute, rounded to 33 mg/minute
A child weighing 28.4 kg is hypertensive. The healthcare provider prescibes methyldopa (Aldomet) 40 mg/kg/day IV in 4 divided doses. The pharmacy provides a 50 mg/ml injection vial. How many ml should the practical nurse administer? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
5.7 First calculate the total mg dose/day: 40 mg x 28.4 kg = 1136 mg/day Next divide the total mg into the 4 dosages for the day: 1136 mg/4 doses = 284 mg/dose Using the Desired/Have formula: 284mg/50mg x 1 ml = 5.68 ml/ dose or 5.7 ml.
A healthcare provider prescribes a continuous infusion of 0.9% sodium chloride with pancuronium (Pavulon) 25 mg/250 ml at a rate of 0.1 mg/kg/hr for a client with coronary artery bypass grafting. The client weighs 78 kg. The practical nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
78 First calculate the number of mg the client will receive in 1 hour: 0.1 mg x 78 kg = 7.8 mg/hour Next calculate the number of ml containing 7.8 mg of medication: 25 mg : 250 ml :: 7.8 mg : X 25 mg/ 7.8 mg :: 250 ml/X 25X = 1950 X = 78 ml/hour Fill in the blank78
