NCLEX-RN
Dosage Calculation NCLEX RN Questions Questions
Question 1 of 5
The primary healthcare provider (PHCP) prescribes 500 mL of 0.45% saline to be administered over one hour. The drop factor is 10 gtts/mL. How many drops per minute should the nurse set the flow rate at? Fill in the blank. Round your answer to the nearest whole number.
Correct Answer: 83 gtts/minute
Rationale:
To calculate drops per minute, use the formula: (volume in mL × drop factor) ÷ time in minutes. Here, 500 mL × 10 gtts/mL = 5000 gtts, divided by 60 minutes = 5000 ÷ 60 ≈ 83.33, rounded to 83 gtts/minute.
Question 2 of 5
The nurse is calculating the 12-hour intake for a client. The client received: ,¢ 0.45% saline at 85 mL/hr via continuous infusion ,¢ One eight-ounce cup of ice chips ,¢ One eight-ounce cup of coffee ,¢ One eight-ounce cup of ice cream ,¢ Three eight-ounce cups of water ,¢ One eight-ounce cup of pureed vegetables. The nurse should calculate the client's total liquid intake as how many mL? Fill in the blank.
Correct Answer: 1770 mL
Rationale: Calculate IV fluid: 85 mL/hr × 12 hr = 1020 mL. Each 8-ounce cup = 240 mL (since 1 oz ≈ 30 mL). Ice chips count as half volume: 240 mL ÷ 2 = 120 mL.
Total: 1020 mL + 120 mL (ice chips) + 240 mL (coffee) + 240 mL (ice cream) + 720 mL (3 cups water) + 240 mL (vegetables) = 1770 mL.
Question 3 of 5
The primary healthcare provider (PHCP) prescribes 0.5 g of acetaminophen by mouth every six hours. The nurse has administered 3 doses. How many total milligrams has the client received? Fill in the blank.
Correct Answer: 1500 mg
Rationale: Convert 0.5 g to 500 mg (1 g = 1000 mg). Three doses: 500 mg × 3 = 1500 mg.
Question 4 of 5
The primary healthcare provider (PHCP) prescribes a bolus of regular insulin prior to the nurse administering a continuous infusion. The prescription is for 0.1 units/kg. The client weighs 116.36 kg (255.99 lbs). How many units of insulin should the nurse administer to the client? Fill in the blank. Round your answer to the nearest whole number.
Correct Answer: 12 units
Rationale: Calculate: 0.1 units/kg × 116.36 kg = 11.636 units, rounded to 12 units.
Question 5 of 5
The primary healthcare provider (PHCP) prescribes one liter of 0.9% saline to infuse over 6 hours. How many mL per hour will the nurse administer to the client? Fill in the blank. Round your answer to the nearest whole number.
Correct Answer: 167 mL/hr
Rationale: Convert 1 liter to 1000 mL. Divide by 6 hours: 1000 mL ÷ 6 hr = 166.67 mL/hr, rounded to 167 mL/hr.