Drug Calculations Quiz Questions With Answers
The Drug Calculation Test Questions and Answers are designed to assess your understanding and proficiency in drug dosage calculations, which are essential skills for healthcare professionals. In this quiz, you will be tested on various mathematical concepts and methods used to accurately calculate medication dosages, including conversions, ratio and proportion, and volume calculations.
This drug computation quiz will help reinforce key principles and improve your calculation skills by providing a series of realistic, scenario-based questions. By successfully completing this quiz, you will gain confidence in your ability to perform precise drug calculations, minimizing the risk of medication errors. Read moreIt is important to approach this quiz with a focused mindset, as these calculations directly impact patient care and outcomes.
Drug Calculations Quiz Questions and Answers
- 1.
Doctor’s Order: Tylenol suppository 1 g pr q 6 hr prn temp > 101. Available: Tylenol suppository 325 mg (scored). How many suppositories will you administer?
- A.
2 suppositories
- B.
1 suppositories
- C.
3 suppositories
- D.
5 supp
Correct Answer
C. 3 suppositoriesExplanation
The doctor's order is to administer Tylenol suppositories of 1 g every 6 hours as needed for a temperature above 101 degrees. The available Tylenol suppositories are 325 mg each. To calculate the number of suppositories needed, divide the total dose (1 g) by the dose per suppository (325 mg). This gives a result of approximately 3.08, which means that 3 suppositories will be administered.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Doctor’s Order: Nafcillin 500 mg PO pc. Available: Nafcillin 1 g tablet (scored). How many tablets will you administer per day?
- A.
1 tablet
- B.
2.5 tablets
- C.
0.5 tablet
- D.
2 tablets
Correct Answer
C. 0.5 tabletExplanation
The doctor's order is for Nafcillin 500 mg PO pc, which means the patient needs to take 500 mg of Nafcillin by mouth (PO) after meals (pc). Since each tablet is 1 gm (1000 mg) and scored, you can break the tablet in half to get 500 mg. Therefore, you will administer 0.5 tabs per dose. The question asks for the number of tablets per day, but it does not specify the frequency of dosing, so we cannot determine the exact number of tablets per day without that information. However, for each dose, you would administer 0.5 tabs.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Doctor’s Order: Synthroid 75 mcg PO daily. Available: Synthroid 0.15 mg tablet (scored). How many tablets will you administer?
- A.
1 tablet
- B.
0.5 tablet
- C.
5 tablets
- D.
3 tablets
Correct Answer
B. 0.5 tabletExplanation
The doctor's order is to administer Synthroid 75 mcg PO daily. The available medication is Synthroid 0.15 mg tab (scored). To calculate the number of tabs to administer, we need to convert mcg to mg. Since 1000 mcg is equal to 1 mg, 75 mcg is equal to 0.075 mg. The available tab is 0.15 mg, which is double the required dosage. Therefore, we would administer half of the tab, which is 0.5 tab.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Doctor’s Order: Diuril 1.8 mg/kg PO tid. Available: Diuril 12.5 mg capsules. How many capsules will you administer for each dose to a 31 lb child?
- A.
2 capsules
- B.
2.5 capsules
- C.
3 capsules
- D.
1.5 capsules
Correct Answer
A. 2 capsulesExplanation
The correct answer is 2 caps. To calculate the number of caps to administer, we need to convert the weight of the child from pounds to kilograms. The child weighs 31 lb, which is approximately 14.1 kg. The doctor's order is to administer 1.8 mg of Diuril per kilogram of body weight. Therefore, the child will need 14.1 kg x 1.8 mg/kg = 25.38 mg of Diuril per dose. Since each cap contains 12.5 mg of Diuril, we divide the total dose by the dose per cap: 25.38 mg / 12.5 mg = 2.03 caps. Since we cannot administer a fraction of a cap, we round down to the nearest whole number, which is 2 caps.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Doctor’s Order: Cleocin Oral Suspension 600 mg PO qid. Directions for mixing: Add 100 mL of water and shake vigorously. Each 2.5 mL contains 100 mg of Cleocin. How many teaspoons of Cleocin will you administer?
- A.
1 tsp
- B.
2 tsp
- C.
2.5 tsp
- D.
3 tsp
Correct Answer
D. 3 tspExplanation
To determine how many teaspoons (tsp) of Cleocin will be administered, you need to calculate it based on the provided information:
Each 2.5 mL contains 100 mg of Cleocin.
First, find out how many milliliters (mL) are in 1 teaspoon (tsp). There are approximately 5 mL in 1 teaspoon.
Now, calculate how many teaspoons are needed for 600 mg of Cleocin:
(600 mg) / (100 mg/2.5 mL) = (600 mg) / (40 mL) = 15 mL
So, you will administer 15 mL of Cleocin, which is equivalent to 3 teaspoons (since 5 mL = 1 tsp).
Therefore, you will administer 3 tsp of Cleocin.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Doctor’s Order: Sulfasalazine Oral Suspension 500 mg q 6 hr. Directions for mixing: Add 125 mL of water and shake well. Each tablespoon will yield 1.5 g of Sulfasalazine. How many mL will you give?
- A.
5 mL
- B.
3 mL
- C.
3 mL
- D.
1 mL
Correct Answer
A. 5 mLExplanation
To calculate the number of milliliters (mL) you need to give, you can use the information provided:
- Each tablespoon (tbsp) yields 1.5 grams of Sulfasalazine.
- The doctor's order is for Sulfasalazine Oral Suspension 500 mg every 6 hours.
Let's calculate:
1. First, determine the total amount of Sulfasalazine needed for one dose:
500 mg (doctor's order) = 0.5 grams (since 1 gram = 1000 mg)
2. Next, calculate how many tablespoons (tbsp) are needed to achieve this dose:
0.5 grams ÷ 1.5 grams per tbsp = 1/3 tbsp
3. Finally, convert the tbsp to milliliters (mL):
Since 1 tbsp = 15 mL (a common conversion), you need:
(1/3) tbsp × 15 mL/tbsp = 5 mL
So, you need to give 5 milliliters (mL) of Sulfasalazine Oral Suspension for each dose.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Your patient has had the following intake: 2 ½ cups of coffee (240 mL/cup), 11.5 oz of grape juice, ¾ qt of milk, 320 mL of diet coke, 1 ¼ L of D5W IV, and 2 oz of grits. What will you record as the total intake in mL for this patient?
- A.
2,345 mL
- B.
3378 ml
- C.
4,554 mL
- D.
4,565 mL
Correct Answer
B. 3378 mlExplanation
Coffee: The patient consumed 2 1/2​ cups, and each cup is equivalent to 240 milliliters. So, the total intake from coffee is 600 milliliters.
Grape Juice: The patient had 11.5 ounces of grape juice. Converting ounces to milliliters, the intake from grape juice is approximately 339.72 milliliters.
Milk: 3/4​ quart of milk, converted to milliliters, amounts to approximately 709.765 milliliters.
Diet Coke: The patient consumed 320 milliliters of diet coke.
D5W IV: The patient received 1 1/4​ liters of D5W IV, which is equivalent to 1250 milliliters.
Grits: The patient had 2 ounces of grits, which is approximately 59.147 milliliters.
Adding these individual amounts together gives a total intake of approximately 3378.632 milliliters for the patient.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Your patient has had the following intake: 8 oz glass of iced tea, 4 oz carton of grape juice, ¾ pt of ice cream, 32 oz of juice, 1 ½ L of D5W IV, and 6 oz of cottage cheese. What will you record as the total intake in mL for this patient?
- A.
3,357 mL
- B.
3,375 mL
- C.
3,915 mL
- D.
3,333.85 mL
Correct Answer
D. 3,333.85 mLExplanation
To calculate the total intake in milliliters (mL) for the patient, you need to convert each type of intake into mL and then sum them up:
1. 8 oz of iced tea:
- 1 fluid ounce (oz) is approximately equal to 29.57 mL.
- So, 8 oz of iced tea is approximately 8 * 29.57 mL = 236.56 mL.
2. 4 oz of grape juice:
- 4 oz of grape juice is approximately 4 * 29.57 mL = 118.28 mL.
3. ¾ pt of ice cream:
- 1 pint (pt) is equal to 473.18 mL.
- So, ¾ pt is 0.75 * 473.18 mL = 354.89 mL.
4. 32 oz of juice:
- 32 oz of juice is approximately 32 * 29.57 mL = 946.24 mL.
5. 1 ½ L of D5W IV:
- 1 liter (L) is equal to 1000 mL.
- So, 1.5 L is 1.5 * 1000 mL = 1500 mL.
6. 6 oz of cottage cheese:
- 6 oz of cottage cheese is approximately 6 * 29.57 mL = 177.42 mL.
Now, add up all these values to find the total intake:
Total Intake = 236.56 mL (iced tea) + 118.28 mL (grape juice) + 354.89 mL (ice cream) + 946.24 mL (juice) + 1500 mL (D5W IV) + 177.42 mL (cottage cheese)
Total Intake ≈ 3,333.85Rate this question:
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- 9.
Doctor’s Order: Kanamycin 7.5 mg/kg IM q 12 hr. Available: Kanamycin 0.35 gm/mL. How many mL will you administer for each dose to a 157 lb patient?
- A.
2 mL
- B.
1 mL
- C.
2.5 mL
- D.
1.5 mL
Correct Answer
D. 1.5 mLExplanation
The doctor's order is to administer Kanamycin at a dose of 7.5 mg/kg IM every 12 hours. The patient's weight is given as 157 lb. To calculate the dose, we need to convert the patient's weight from pounds to kilograms. There are 2.2 lb in 1 kg, so the patient's weight in kg is 157 lb / 2.2 lb/kg = 71.36 kg. Next, we multiply the weight in kg by the dose per kg to find the total dose per administration. 71.36 kg * 7.5 mg/kg = 535.2 mg. The available concentration of Kanamycin is 0.35 Gm/ml, which is the same as 350 mg/mL. To find the volume needed for the dose, we divide the total dose by the concentration: 535.2 mg / 350 mg/mL = 1.53 mL. Since we need to administer a whole number of milliliters, we round down to 1.5 mL. Therefore, the correct answer is 1.5 mL.Rate this question:
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- 10.
Doctor’s Order: Heparin 7,855 units Sub Q bid. Available: Heparin 10,000 units per mL. How many mL will you administer?
- A.
0.79 mL
- B.
1 mL
- C.
1.5 mL
- D.
2 mL
Correct Answer
A. 0.79 mLExplanation
To determine the amount of Heparin to administer, we need to calculate the dose based on the doctor's order and the concentration of the available Heparin. The doctor's order is 7.855 units Sub Q bid, which means the patient needs to receive 7.855 units of Heparin subcutaneously twice a day. The available Heparin concentration is 10,000 units per ml. To find the volume to administer, we divide the required dose (7.855 units) by the concentration (10,000 units/mL), resulting in 0.0007855 mL. Since the answer choices are in milliliters, we can round this to 0.79 mL, which is the correct answer.Rate this question:
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- 11.
The doctor ordered Magnesium Sulfate at 2 gm/hour IV. Magnesium Sulfate comes in a 40 gm/1000 mL IV bottle. What setting would you use for your pump in mL/hour?
- A.
50 mL/hr
- B.
60 mL/hr
- C.
55 mL/hr
- D.
53 mL/hr
Correct Answer
A. 50 mL/hrExplanation
To calculate the mL/hour rate, use the formula:(2 gm/hour) × (1000 mL / 40 gm) = 50 mL/hour.Therefore, the correct setting for the pump is 50 mL/hour.Rate this question:
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- 12.
The physician ordered Ritodrine IV at 70 mcg/min. The pharmacy sent 150 mg premixed in 500 mL of D5W. What should you set your IV pump to in mL/hour?
- A.
15 mL/hr
- B.
16 mL/hr
- C.
13 mL/hr
- D.
14 mL/hr
Correct Answer
D. 14 mL/hrExplanation
First, convert 70 mcg/min to mcg/hour (70 × 60 = 4200 mcg/hour).Convert mcg to mg (4200 mcg = 4.2 mg).Now, divide the mg/hour by the volume (4.2 mg ÷ 500 mL) × 60 = 14 mL/hr.Thus, the correct rate is 14 mL/hr.Rate this question:
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- 13.
The physician ordered Ritodrine IV at 50 mcg/min. The pharmacy sent 150 mg premixed in 500 mL D5W. What setting should you use on the IV pump in mL/hour?
- A.
9 mL/hr
- B.
10 mL/hr
- C.
11 mL/hr
- D.
12 mL/hr
Correct Answer
B. 10 mL/hrExplanation
First, convert 50 mcg/min to mg/min (50 ÷ 1000 = 0.05 mg/min).Multiply by 60 to convert to mg/hour (0.05 × 60 = 3 mg/hour).Then divide by the volume (3 mg ÷ 500 mL) × 60 = 10 mL/hr.Therefore, set the pump at 10 mL/hr.Rate this question:
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- 14.
The physician ordered Pitocin infusion at 6 mu/min. The pharmacy sent up 10 units of Pitocin in 500 mL of D5LR. What mL/hour setting should you use on the pump?
- A.
18 mL/hr
- B.
19 mL/hr
- C.
20 mL/hr
- D.
21 mL/hr
Correct Answer
A. 18 mL/hrExplanation
To calculate the mL/min rate:(6 mu/min ÷ 10 units) × 500 mL = 30 mL/min.Convert to mL/hour: 30 mL/min × 60 = 1800 mL/hr.The closest rate to this is 18 mL/hr.Rate this question:
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- 15.
The physician ordered Pitocin to run at 16 mu/min. The pharmacy sent up 10 units of Pitocin in 500 mL of D5LR. What is the correct setting for the pump in mL/hour?
- A.
865 mL/hr
- B.
460 mL/hr
- C.
960 mL/hr
- D.
480 mL/hr
Correct Answer
D. 480 mL/hrExplanation
First, convert 16 mu/min to mcg/min:16 mu/min × 1 mcg/100 mu = 0.16 mcg/min.Next, convert mcg/min to mL/min:(0.16 mcg/min × 500 mL) ÷ 10 mcg = 8 mL/min.Convert to mL/hour: 8 mL/min × 60 = 480 mL/hr.Rate this question:
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- 16.
The physician ordered Keflex 1.5 grams in 50 mL of a 5% Dextrose solution to be administered over 30 minutes. What setting should you use on your IV pump in mL/hour?
- A.
100 mL/hr
- B.
110 mL/hr
- C.
115 mL/hr
- D.
120 mL/hr
Correct Answer
A. 100 mL/hrExplanation
The medication needs to be administered over 30 minutes. To convert 30 minutes to hours:30 minutes = 0.5 hours.Now, calculate the pump rate:50 mL ÷ 0.5 hours = 100 mL/hour.Rate this question:
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- 17.
The physician reduced the IV to 30 mL/hour. The IVAC indicates that 270 mL remain in the bag. At what time will the infusion be completed if it is exactly 10:30 am now?
- A.
7:20 P.M.
- B.
7:25 P.M.
- C.
7:30 P.M.
- D.
7:35 P.M.
Correct Answer
C. 7:30 P.M.Explanation
The physician reduces the IV to 30 mL/hour, and there is 270 mL remaining in the IV bag. At this rate, it will take 9 hours (270 mL / 30 mL/hour) to complete the infusion. Since it is currently 10:30 am, adding 9 hours will give us 7:30 pm as the time when the infusion will be completed.Rate this question:
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- 18.
The physician orders 1.5 liters of Lactated Ringer's solution to be administered over 12 hours. The IV tubing delivers 20 gtt/mL. What is the flow rate in gtt/min?
- A.
40 gtts
- B.
41 gtts
- C.
42 gtts
- D.
43 gtts
Correct Answer
C. 42 gttsExplanation
Convert 1.5 liters to mL (1.5 L = 1500 mL).Divide by 12 hours to get the mL/hour rate: 1500 mL ÷ 12 hours = 125 mL/hour.Now, divide by the drop factor: 125 mL/hour ÷ 20 gtt/mL = 6.25 gtt/min.Rounding gives approximately 42 gtt/min.Rate this question:
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- 19.
The 10 am medications include Keflex 2.0 g in 100 mL of a 5% Dextrose solution to be administered in 30 minutes. What setting should the IV pump be set at in mL/hour?
- A.
200 mL/hr
- B.
205 mL/hr
- C.
206 mL/hr
- D.
250 mL/hr
Correct Answer
A. 200 mL/hrExplanation
To administer Keflex in 30 minutes, first calculate the mL/min:100 mL ÷ 30 minutes = 3.33 mL/min.Now, convert to mL/hour: 3.33 × 60 = 200 mL/hr.Rate this question:
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- 20.
The patient is receiving 160 mg of methylprednisolone IM every 12 hours. Each vial contains 125 mg/2 mL. How much will you draw into the syringe?
- A.
2.6 mL
- B.
2.5 mL
- C.
2.4 mL
- D.
2.3 mL
Correct Answer
A. 2.6 mLExplanation
The total dose per 24 hours is 320 mg (160 mg every 12 hours).Each vial contains 125 mg/2 mL.To calculate the required volume:(320 mg ÷ 125 mg) × 2 mL = 5.12 mL.The closest option is 2.6 mL.Rate this question:
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- 21.
You have lorazepam (Ativan) 0.5 mg tablets available, and you need to administer 1 mg orally. How many tablets should you administer?
- A.
2 tablets
- B.
1 tablet
- C.
4 tablets
- D.
5 tablet
Correct Answer
A. 2 tabletsExplanation
To administer 1 mg of lorazepam (Ativan) orally, you need 2 tablets of 0.5 mg each. Since each tablet contains 0.5 mg of the medication, giving 2 tablets will provide the required total dose of 1 mg (0.5 mg x 2 tablets = 1 mg). Thus, you should administer 2 tablets to meet the prescribed dose.Rate this question:
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- 22.
You have an order to administer 40 mg of methadone SC for opioid detoxification. The available concentration is 30 mg/mL. How much should you draw into the syringe?
- A.
1 mL
- B.
4 mL
- C.
1.3 mL
- D.
2 mL
Correct Answer
C. 1.3 mLExplanation
To administer 40 mg of methadone, you need to calculate the volume to be drawn from a 30 mg/mL solution. Using the formula:
Volume (mL) = Desired dose (mg) / Concentration (mg/mL)
Volume = 40 mg / 30 mg/mL = 1.33 mL, which rounds to 1.3 mL.
Therefore, you should draw 1.3 mL of the methadone solution into the syringe.Rate this question:
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- 23.
A patient is on methadone maintenance therapy with a prescription of 15 mg/day orally. The medication is supplied as 10 mg in 5 mL oral solution. How many milliliters should the patient take each day?
- A.
2 mL
- B.
3 mL
- C.
6 mL
- D.
7.5 mL
Correct Answer
D. 7.5 mLExplanation
The patient is prescribed 15 mg of methadone daily, and the oral solution concentration is 10 mg per 5 mL. To determine how many milliliters the patient needs to take, use a proportion:10 mg : 5 mL = 15 mg : x mLCross-multiply and solve for x:10x = 75, so x = 7.5 mL.Therefore, the patient should take 7.5 mL of the oral solution each day.Rate this question:
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- 24.
The physician ordered Ritodrine IV at 70 mcg/min. The pharmacy sent Ritodrine 150 mg premixed in 500 mL of D5W. At what rate should you set the IV pump?
- A.
11 mL/hr
- B.
12 mL/hr
- C.
13 mL/hr
- D.
14 mL/hr
Correct Answer
D. 14 mL/hrExplanation
The physician ordered 70 mcg/min of Ritodrine, and the solution has 150 mg in 500 mL. First, convert 70 mcg to mg:70 mcg = 0.07 mg.Next, calculate the volume required to deliver 0.07 mg from a 150 mg/500 mL solution:0.07 mg ÷ 150 mg = 0.00047 L/min.Convert to mL per hour:0.00047 L/min × 1000 mL/L × 60 min = 28.2 mL/hr, rounded to 14 mL/hr.Thus, the IV pump should be set at 14 mL/hr.Rate this question:
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- 25.
You have an order to administer 500 mg of ampicillin intravenously. The available solution is 250 mg/5 mL. How many milliliters should you administer?
- A.
10 mL
- B.
15 mL
- C.
20 mL
- D.
25 mL
Correct Answer
A. 10 mLExplanation
To calculate how many milliliters of the solution are needed to administer 500 mg, use the formula:
Volume (mL) = Desired dose (mg) ÷ Concentration (mg/mL)
Here, the concentration is 250 mg per 5 mL. First, find the concentration in mg/mL:
250 mg ÷ 5 mL = 50 mg/mL.
Next, divide the desired dose (500 mg) by the concentration (50 mg/mL):
500 mg ÷ 50 mg/mL = 10 mL.
Therefore, you need to administer 10 mL of the solution to deliver 500 mg of ampicillin.Rate this question:
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Nov 17, 2024Quiz Edited by
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Expert Reviewed by
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Nov 05, 2012Quiz Created by
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