PN Dosage Calculation
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Below are sample questions from this exam to help you understand the content and format.
Q1: A nurse is preparing to administer nystatin 400,000 units PO every 6 hr. Available is nystatin oral suspension 100,000 units/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
Answer Choices:
Step-by-step calculation:
Formula:
Volume (mL) = Dose ordered (units) ÷ Concentration available (units/mL)
Step 1: Identify known values
Dose ordered = 400,000 units
Available concentration = 100,000 units/mL
Step 2: Plug values into the formula
400,000 units ÷ 100,000 units/mL = 4 mL
Step 3: Round to the nearest whole number
4 mL is already a whole number. No rounding needed.
✅ Final Answer: 4 mL
Educational Insight:
Nystatin is an antifungal commonly used to treat oral candidiasis. Because it is measured in units, precision is crucial when preparing liquid doses. Ensure that the oral suspension is measured with a calibrated syringe and that the client retains the medication in the mouth as long as possible before swallowing to increase mucosal contact time.
Q2: A nurse is preparing to administer lisinopril 2.5 mg PO to an older adult client. Available is lisinopril 5 mg tablet nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero)
Answer Choices:
Step-by-step calculation:
Formula:
Tablet dose = Dose ordered (mg) ÷ Dose available (mg per tablet)
Step 1: Identify known values
Dose ordered = 2.5 mg
Available = 5 mg per tablet
Step 2: Plug values into the formula
2.5 mg ÷ 5 mg = 0.5 tablet
Step 3: Round to the nearest tenth
0.5 is already to the nearest tenth
✅ Final Answer: 0.5 tablet
Educational Insight:
Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor used to treat hypertension and heart failure, particularly in older adults. It is crucial to start with lower doses in this population due to age-related renal function decline and increased sensitivity to blood pressure changes. Administering half-tablet doses requires care; tablets must be scored for safe and accurate splitting.
Q3: A nurse is preparing to administer enoxaparin 40 mg subcutaneous for prevention of deep-vein thrombosis. Available is enoxaparin 100 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use trailing zero.)
Answer Choices:
Step-by-step calculation:
Formula:
Volume (mL) = Dose ordered (mg) ÷ Concentration available (mg/mL)
Step 1: Identify known values
Dose ordered = 40 mg
Available concentration = 100 mg/mL
Step 2: Plug values into the formula
40 mg ÷ 100 mg/mL = 0.4 mL
Step 3: Round to the nearest tenth
0.4 is already rounded to the nearest tenth
✅ Final Answer: 0.4 mL
Educational Insight:
Enoxaparin (Lovenox) is a low-molecular-weight heparin used for DVT prophylaxis, especially in postoperative or immobile clients. Accurate subcutaneous administration is essential to avoid bleeding complications. Doses are weight-based or standardized, and rounding must follow safety protocols. Always check prefilled syringe units and avoid expelling air unless instructed.
Q4: A nurse is preparing to administer calcitonin 8 units/kg IM to a client who weighs 165 lb. Available is 200 units/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
Answer Choices:
Step-by-step calculation:
Formula:
Volume (mL) = [Dose (units/kg) × Weight (kg)] ÷ Concentration (units/mL)
Step 1: Convert weight from pounds to kilograms
165 lb ÷ 2.2 = 75 kg
Step 2: Calculate total dose in units
8 units/kg × 75 kg = 600 units
Step 3: Plug into the volume formula
600 units ÷ 200 units/mL = 3 mL
Step 4: Round to the nearest whole number
3 mL is already a whole number
✅ Final Answer: 3 mL
Educational Insight:
Calcitonin is often used to treat conditions like hypercalcemia and osteoporosis. Since it is a weight-based medication, it's essential to convert pounds to kilograms accurately before calculating dosage. This ensures safe and therapeutic administration. Administer IM injections into a large muscle, and rotate sites to reduce irritation.
Q5: A nurse is preparing to administer ketorolac 30 mg IM for loading dose. Available is ketorolac injection 15 mg/mL. How many mL should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)
Answer Choices:
Step-by-step calculation:
Formula:
Volume (mL) = Dose ordered (mg) ÷ Concentration available (mg/mL)
Step 1: Identify known values
Dose ordered = 30 mg
Available concentration = 15 mg/mL
Step 2: Plug values into the formula
30 mg ÷ 15 mg/mL = 2 mL
Step 3: Round to the nearest whole number
2 mL is already a whole number
✔ Final Answer: 2 mL
Educational Insight:
Ketorolac is a potent NSAID used for short-term management of moderate to severe pain, often given via IM or IV routes. It should be used cautiously due to its renal, GI, and bleeding risks. A loading dose helps achieve rapid analgesia, and IM injections must be calculated accurately to ensure both safety and efficacy.
