Pharmacy Math Pretest – Test Your Calculation Skills - Quiz, Trivia , Flashcards & Questions

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1/10 Questions

5. How many grams of dextrose are required to prepare 4500 L of a 5% solution?
- A. 80,000 g
- B. 225,000g
- C. 4 f3
- D. 8 f3

About This Quiz

Before handling real prescriptions, you need solid math skills. This Pharmaceutical Calculations Pretest helps you assess your readiness in core pharmacy math areas—dosage calculations, metric conversions, IV drip rates, and ratio/proportion methods.

Ideal for pharmacy students, technicians, and exam candidates, this pretest offers a fast way to spot your strengths and identify what needs extra review. Use it as a warm-up before coursework or certification prep.

Disclaimer: This quiz is intended for educational review only and is not affiliated with any official exam or accrediting organization.

2.

1. How many milliliter of U-100 insulin should be used to obtain 50 units of insulin?
- 5 mL
- 50 mL
- 0.5 mL
- 500 mL
Correct Answer

A. 0.5 mL

Explanation

To obtain 50 units of insulin, 0.5 mL of U-100 insulin should be used. U-100 insulin means that there are 100 units of insulin in 1 mL. Therefore, to get 50 units, half a milliliter (0.5 mL) of U-100 insulin is required.

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3
3.

2. How many drops would be prescribed in each dose of a liquid medicine if 20 mL contained 60 doses? The dispensing dropper calibrates 35 gtts per mL.
- 12 gtts
- 15 gtts
- 8 gtts
- 23 gtts
Correct Answer

A. 12 gtts

Explanation

If 20 mL contains 60 doses, then each dose is 20 mL / 60 doses = 1/3 mL. Since the dropper calibrates 35 gtts per mL, the number of drops in each dose would be 1/3 mL * 35 gtts/mL = 35/3 ≈ 11.67 gtts. Since we can't have a fraction of a drop, the closest whole number is 12 gtts, which would be prescribed in each dose of the liquid medicine.

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3
4.

3. How many milligrams of a drug will be needed to prepare 74 dosage forms if each is to contain 1/10 grain?
- A. 58 mg
- B. 480 mg
- C. 4800 mg
- D. 4.8mg
Correct Answer

A. B. 480 mg

Explanation

To find the total amount of the drug needed, we need to multiply the number of dosage forms (74) by the amount of the drug in each form (1/10 grain).

First, we convert 1/10 grain to milligrams. There are 64.8 milligrams in 1 grain, so 1/10 grain is equal to 6.48 milligrams.

Next, we multiply the amount of the drug per form (6.48 mg) by the number of forms (74): 6.48 mg * 74 = 479.52 mg.

Since we cannot have a fraction of a milligram, we round up to the nearest whole number, which is 480 mg.

Therefore, the correct answer is b. 480 mg.

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5
5.

6. How many grams of a drug substance should be dissolved in 250 mL of water to make a 5% (w/w) solution?
- A. 9.6 g
- B. 13.16 g
- C. 60 g
- D. 10 g
Correct Answer

A. B. 13.16 g

Explanation

To make a 5% (w/w) solution, 5 grams of the drug substance should be dissolved in 100 mL of water. Therefore, to find the amount of drug substance needed for 250 mL of water, we can set up a proportion: 5 grams/100 mL = x grams/250 mL. Solving for x gives us x = (5 grams/100 mL) * 250 mL = 12.5 grams. Since the answer choices are given in grams, we round up to the nearest gram, which is 13 grams. Therefore, the correct answer is 13.16 g.

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6.

8. In what proportion should alcohols of 90% and 50% strengths should be mixed to make 70% alcohol?
- A. 3 parts / 5 parts
- B. 1 part / 1 part
- C. 5 parts / 4 parts
- D. 4 parts / 5 parts
Correct Answer

A. B. 1 part / 1 part

Explanation

To make a 70% alcohol solution, equal parts of alcohols with 90% and 50% strengths need to be mixed. This is because the average of the two strengths (90% + 50%) / 2 = 70%. Therefore, the correct proportion is 1 part of 90% alcohol to 1 part of 50% alcohol.

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7.

7. Convert 5% to mg/mL:
- A. 50 mg/mL
- B. 500 mg/mL
- C. 5000 mg/mL
- D. 5 mg/mL
Correct Answer

A. A. 50 mg/mL

Explanation

To convert a percentage to mg/mL, you need to multiply the percentage by 10. Since 5% multiplied by 10 equals 50, the correct answer is a. 50 mg/mL.

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8.

10. Zinc chloride is a three-ion electrolyte, dissociating 80% in a certain concentration. Calculate its dissociation factor (I):
- A. 2.6
- B. 1.6
- C. 2.9
- D. 3
Correct Answer

A. A. 2.6

Explanation

Zinc chloride is a three-ion electrolyte, meaning it dissociates into three ions when it is in solution. The question states that it dissociates 80% in a certain concentration. The dissociation factor (I) is calculated by dividing the actual dissociation by the theoretical dissociation. In this case, the theoretical dissociation is 100% since it is a three-ion electrolyte. Therefore, the dissociation factor is 80%/100% = 0.8. To convert this to a whole number, we can multiply by 10, giving us 8. To convert this to a decimal, we divide by 3, giving us 2.6. Therefore, the correct answer is a. 2.6.

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1
9.

4. If a pint of a certain liquid weighs 9200 grains, what is the specific gravity of the liquid?
- A. 1.0
- B. 1.32
- C. 1.276
- D. 1.26
Correct Answer

A. D. 1.26

Explanation

The specific gravity of a liquid is the ratio of its density to the density of water. In this question, the weight of the liquid is given in grains, which is a unit of mass. To find the specific gravity, we need to convert the weight to mass by dividing it by the acceleration due to gravity. Then, we divide the mass by the density of water to find the specific gravity. Since the specific gravity is less than 1, it means that the liquid is less dense than water. Therefore, the correct answer is d. 1.26.

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1
10.

9. How many milliliters of two liquids with specific gravities of 0.950 and 0.875 should be used to prepare 1500 mL of a liquid having a specific gravity of 0.925?
- A. 1000 mL (sp gr 0.950) 500 mL (sp gr 0.875)
- B. 2250 mL (sp gr 0.950) 1125 mL (sp gr 0.875)
- C. 500 mL (sp gr 0.950) 1000 mL (sp gr 0.875)
- D. 1125 mL (sp gr 0.950) 2250 mL (spgr 0.875)
Correct Answer

A. A. 1000 mL (sp gr 0.950) 500 mL (sp gr 0.875)

Explanation

To prepare a liquid with a specific gravity of 0.925, we need to mix two liquids with different specific gravities. The specific gravity of a liquid is the ratio of its density to the density of water.

To find the amount of each liquid needed, we can use the formula:

(volume of liquid 1 x specific gravity of liquid 1) + (volume of liquid 2 x specific gravity of liquid 2) = (total volume of mixture x specific gravity of mixture)

Let's assume the volume of liquid 1 is x mL and the volume of liquid 2 is y mL.

0.950x + 0.875y = 0.925 * 1500

Solving this equation, we get x = 1000 mL and y = 500 mL.

Therefore, the correct answer is a. 1000 mL (sp gr 0.950) 500 mL (sp gr 0.875).

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2

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Jan 02, 2013

Quiz Created by
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Pharmaceutical Calculations Pretest – Dosage & Conversions

5. How many grams of dextrose are required to prepare 4500 L of a 5% solution?

Quiz Preview

1. How many milliliter of U-100 insulin should be used to obtain 50 units of insulin?

2. How many drops would be prescribed in each dose of a liquid medicine if 20 mL contained 60 doses? The dispensing dropper calibrates 35 gtts per mL.

3. How many milligrams of a drug will be needed to prepare 74 dosage forms if each is to contain 1/10 grain?

6. How many grams of a drug substance should be dissolved in 250 mL of water to make a 5% (w/w) solution?

8. In what proportion should alcohols of 90% and 50% strengths should be mixed to make 70% alcohol?

7. Convert 5% to mg/mL:

10. Zinc chloride is a three-ion electrolyte, dissociating 80% in a certain concentration. Calculate its dissociation factor (I):

4. If a pint of a certain liquid weighs 9200 grains, what is the specific gravity of the liquid?

9. How many milliliters of two liquids with specific gravities of 0.950 and 0.875 should be used to prepare 1500 mL of a liquid having a specific gravity of 0.925?