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Quizzes > Quizzes for Business > Healthcare

Pharmacology Dosage Calculation Quiz Challenge

Hone accurate drug dosage calculation skills today

Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting elements related to Pharmacology Dosage Calculation Quiz.

Joanna Weib invites you to sharpen your medication math with this Pharmacology Dosage Calculation Quiz, designed for students, nurses, and pharmacy pros. Practice 10 interactive questions that cover dosing conversions, IV rates, and pediatric calculations to boost confidence. For a broader review, explore the Pharmacology Knowledge Quiz or the Pharmacy Drug Name and Dosage Calculation Quiz. Customize any of our quizzes in the editor to fit your learning goals.

Convert 0.5 grams to milligrams.
5000 mg
0.05 mg
500 mg
50 mg
One gram equals 1000 milligrams. Therefore, 0.5 grams × 1000 mg/g equals 500 mg.
A prescription calls for 500 mg of amoxicillin. Tablets are 250 mg each. How many tablets should be administered?
4 tablets
1 tablet
2 tablets
0.5 tablet
Dividing the desired dose (500 mg) by the tablet strength (250 mg) yields 2 tablets.
How many milliliters are needed to deliver 75 mg of medication when the vial strength is 25 mg/mL?
3 mL
0.33 mL
1.25 mL
30 mL
Using the formula volume = dose ÷ concentration gives 75 mg ÷ 25 mg/mL = 3 mL.
A drug has a half-life of 4 hours. What percentage of the drug remains in the body after one half-life?
75%
0%
50%
25%
After one half-life, exactly half (50%) of the drug remains in the body.
If a patient weighs 60 kg and the medication order is 5 mg/kg, what is the total dose?
600 mg
300 mg
120 mg
65 mg
Multiply weight (60 kg) by the dose per kilogram (5 mg/kg) to get 300 mg.
A 500 mL IV infusion is set to run over 4 hours. Using a microdrip set that delivers 60 drops/mL, what is the infusion rate in drops per minute?
250 gtt/min
42 gtt/min
125 gtt/min
60 gtt/min
Total drops = 500 mL × 60 gtt/mL = 30,000 drops over 240 minutes, so 30,000 ÷ 240 = 125 gtt/min.
A child weighing 20 kg is prescribed 15 mg/kg/day of antibiotic, divided into two equal doses. What is the dose per administration?
100 mg
300 mg
150 mg
75 mg
Total daily dose = 20 kg × 15 mg/kg = 300 mg. Divided twice daily = 150 mg per dose.
A chemotherapy drug is dosed at 150 mg/m². If a patient's body surface area is 1.8 m², what is the total dose?
270 mg
300 mg
150 mg
180 mg
Multiply dose per m² (150 mg/m²) by BSA (1.8 m²) to get 270 mg.
Dopamine is ordered at 5 mcg/kg/min for a 70 kg patient. The infusion contains 400 mg in 250 mL. What rate in mL/hr is required?
20 mL/hr
13 mL/hr
32 mL/hr
8 mL/hr
Dose is 350 mcg/min (5×70), or 0.35 mg/min. Concentration is 400 mg/250 mL = 1.6 mg/mL, so 0.35 mg/min = 0.219 mL/min = 13.1 mL/hr.
A patient with impaired renal function needs a 25% dose reduction from a standard 200 mg dose. What is the adjusted dose?
175 mg
100 mg
150 mg
200 mg
A 25% reduction of 200 mg is 200 × 0.25 = 50 mg; subtracting yields 150 mg.
Which type of calculation error involves incorrect placement of a decimal point leading to a tenfold dosing error?
Rounding error
Decimal point error
Transcription error
Dosage form error
A decimal point error occurs when a decimal is misplaced or omitted, often causing tenfold dose mistakes.
A loading dose is calculated using the formula: Loading Dose = Cp × Vd. For a target concentration of 20 mg/L, Vd of 0.3 L/kg, and patient weight of 70 kg, what is the loading dose?
420 mg
14 mg
210 mg
600 mg
Loading dose = 20 mg/L × (0.3 L/kg × 70 kg) = 20 × 21 = 420 mg.
For an IV medication with clearance of 5 L/hr, target concentration of 2 mg/L, and dosing interval of 12 hours, what is the maintenance dose per interval?
120 mg
48 mg
10 mg
60 mg
Maintenance dose = Cl × Cp × τ = 5 L/hr × 2 mg/L × 12 hr = 120 mg per interval.
A medication solution contains 150 mg of drug in 500 mL. If the infusion pump runs at 60 mL/hr, what is the infusion rate in mg/hr?
20 mg/hr
25 mg/hr
18 mg/hr
15 mg/hr
Rate in mg/hr = (150 mg/500 mL) × 60 mL/hr = 18 mg/hr.
For drugs eliminated primarily by the kidneys, dosage adjustments are most accurately based on which parameter?
Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)
Creatinine clearance
Creatinine clearance best estimates glomerular filtration and guides renal dose adjustments.
An epinephrine infusion is prepared as 4 mg in 250 mL. The order is 2 mcg/kg/min for a 60 kg patient. What flow rate in mL/hr is required?
10 mL/hr
15 mL/hr
5 mL/hr
7.5 mL/hr
Dose = 120 mcg/min (2×60). Concentration = 4000 mcg/250 mL = 16 mcg/mL. Rate = 120 ÷ 16 = 7.5 mL/min, but that is mL/min; convert to mL/hr: 7.5 mL/hr.
Calculate the maintenance dose for a drug with clearance 3 L/hr, target concentration 5 mg/L, dosing interval 6 h, and bioavailability of 50%.
45 mg
90 mg
360 mg
180 mg
Maintenance dose = (Cl × Cp × τ) ÷ F = (3×5×6) ÷ 0.5 = 90 ÷ 0.5 = 180 mg.
An infant weighing 8 kg requires a loading dose of 6 mg/kg over 30 minutes. The aminophylline concentration is 25 mg/mL. What volume and infusion rate in mL/hr are required?
1.92 mL and 3.84 mL/hr
2.4 mL and 4.8 mL/hr
2.0 mL and 4.0 mL/hr
1.2 mL and 2.4 mL/hr
Total dose = 8 kg × 6 mg/kg = 48 mg; volume = 48 ÷ 25 = 1.92 mL; rate = 1.92 mL ÷ 0.5 h = 3.84 mL/hr.
A drug has a volume of distribution of 0.6 L/kg in an 80 kg patient and clearance of 4 L/hr. What is the elimination half-life?
16.7 hours
8.3 hours
12.0 hours
4.0 hours
t½ = 0.693×Vd/Cl = 0.693×(0.6×80)/4 = 0.693×48/4 ≈ 8.3 hours.
A nurse calculates an infusion rate at 7.5 mL/hr but rounds the pump setting to 8 mL/hr. What type of error is this?
Transcription error
Calculation error
Omission error
Rounding error
Adjusting a precise calculation to a less precise pump setting constitutes a rounding error.
0
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Apply pharmacokinetic principles to compute correct dosages
  2. Identify and convert units for various medication strengths
  3. Evaluate patient-specific factors influencing dosage calculations
  4. Demonstrate accuracy in IV infusion rate determinations
  5. Calculate pediatric and adult dosing based on weight
  6. Analyze calculation errors to ensure medication safety

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master basic dosage calculations - Get comfy with the golden formula (Desired Dose ÷ Stock Dose × Stock Volume) to nail your med math every time. For example, if you need 500 mg and have 250 mg in 5 mL, you'd administer 10 mL - simple, right? Drug Dosage Calculations Guide
  2. Use weight-based dosing - Especially vital for pediatric patients, weight-based dosing uses (Patient Weight × Dose per kg) to find the right amount. A 20 kg child on 10 mg/kg needs a 200 mg dose - easy-peasy. Weight-Based Dosing Tips
  3. Calculate IV flow rates - Divide the total infusion volume by the infusion time to set your pump. Infusing 1,000 mL over 8 hours means a rate of 125 mL/hr - plug it in and go! IV Flow Rate Calculator
  4. Master drop factor calculations - For manual IVs, use (Total Volume × Drop Factor) ÷ Time to find drops per minute. Running 500 mL with a 20 gtt/mL set over 4 hours yields about 42 gtt/min. Drop Factor Cheat Sheet
  5. Convert metric units like a pro - Meds can be in grams, milligrams, or micrograms; remember 1 g = 1,000 mg and 1 mg = 1,000 mcg. Swapping units correctly keeps your doses spot-on and your patients safe. Metric Conversion Guide
  6. Apply Clark's Rule for kids - Estimate pediatric doses with (Child Weight in lbs ÷ 150) × Adult Dose to tailor therapy. A 30 lb child needing 30 mg as an adult dose would take about 6 mg. Clark's Rule Explained
  7. Never misplace a decimal - A small dot can cause a tenfold error and big trouble. Always double-check decimal points during dose entry to keep patient safety at the forefront. Preventing Dosage Errors
  8. Calculate body surface area (BSA) - Use √(Height cm × Weight kg ÷ 3600) to tailor chemo and other critical meds. Matching doses to BSA helps optimize efficacy and reduce toxicity. BSA Dosage Techniques
  9. Follow a three-step calculation check - (1) Convert units, (2) Apply the correct formula, (3) Double-check your math. This easy routine drastically cuts down on errors and boosts your confidence. Three-Step Dosage Method
  10. Adjust for patient-specific factors - Always consider age, weight, renal and liver function before finalizing a dose. Personalizing therapy ensures maximum effectiveness with minimal risk. Tailoring Dosages Safely
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