Dosage Calculation NSG 520 Pathophysiology & Pharmacology

Dosage Calculation NSG 520 Pathophysiology & Pharmacology

Question 1 of 6

Which medication can be cut in half?

Enteric coated

Enteric-coated tablets are meant to dissolve and be absorbed in the intestine rather than in the stomach. Cutting them can lead to stomach irritation and the acid may inactivate the drug.

Capsule

Cutting a capsule allows the powder or tiny beads inside to spill.

Scored

Correct answer

A score allows the tablet to be split into two halves of equal known dosages and would be safe.

Sustained release

Sustained-release drugs are made so that small amounts of drugs are released continuously throughout the day. Cutting could lead to an overdose.

Confidence level:

Confident

Lesson:
Dosage Calculation

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Question 2 of 6

Which is the correct number of milliliters the nurse will administer if an order says to administer 250 mg of Drug A and the nurse has 125 mg/5 mL on hand?

10 mL

Correct answer

The formula is WantHave. (250 mg125 mg×5 mL=10 mL).

5 mL

5 mL is too small of a dose.

2.5 mL

The formula is WantHave. This calculation is using HaveWant  × volume (125250×5=2.5).

2 mL

This amount is incorrect, as it does not take into account that each 125 mg is per 5 mL.

Confidence level:

Confident

Lesson:
Dosage Calculation

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Question 4 of 6

Which is the correct number of tablets the nurse will administer if an order reads “Give 75 mg of Drug A orally” and the nurse has 25 mg per tablet on hand?

Two

This is an inadequate dose as the nurse would only be administering 50 mg of Drug A.

One

This reflects an incorrect calculation. This dose would be too low. Remember to always use the DIMS test after calculating to determine if the answer makes sense. In this case, one would ask, “Does it make sense that a single 25 mg tablet equals the same as one 75 mg tablet?”

Four

This is an incorrect answer and would give the patient too much drug. Consider the DIMS test, and ask, “Does 25 times 4 equal 75?”

Three

Correct answer

The nurse will administer three tablets. The formula to use is WantHave. In this case, that translates to 7525=3.

Confidence level:

Confident

Lesson:
Dosage Calculation

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Question 5 of 6

Which is the correct number of milliliters the nurse will administer if an order reads, “Administer 100 mg of Drug A” and the nurse has 25 mg/mL on hand?

0.25 mL

The formula to use is WantHave. This calculation is using HaveWant × volume, which yields a dosage that is too little.

2 mL

This is an incorrect calculation that results in an inadequate dose. This would only give the patient half of the intended dose.

4 mL

Correct answer

This is the correct dose and calculation (100 (Want)25 (Have)×1=4).

8 mL

This is an incorrect dose and would be too much of Drug A.

Confidence level:

Confident

Lesson:
Dosage Calculation

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Question 6 of 6

Which is the correct number of mL of prednisone solution a patient will take each day if they are prescribed prednisone 5 mg by mouth daily and the pharmacy dispenses a 5 mg/5 mL prednisone solution?

5 mL

Correct answer

Using proportions, the nurse will set up the following equation:

5 mg5 mL=5 mgX mL

 

Followed by converting the problem to solve to 
X
, which is:

255=5 mL

10 mL

This dose is twice the intended dose and would not be indicated.

2.5 mL

This dose is an incorrect calculation. It is half the intended amount and would be inadequate.

1 mL

This dose is incorrect and would not give the patient enough prednisone.

Confidence level:

Confident

Lesson:
Dosage Calculation

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Question 3 of 6

Which term refers to an equal relationship between two sets of numbers?

Formula

A mathematical formula is a fact or rule that connects two or more quantities with an equal sign. When one knows the value of one quantity, the value of the other can be found using a formula.

Proportion

Correct answer

A proportion is an equal mathematic relationship between two sets of numbers.

Fraction

A fraction is a number that represents part of a whole.

Ratio

A ratio says how much of one thing there is compared to another thing.