LVN Dosage Calculations

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Sample questions from LVN Dosage Calculations

This material has 90 questions with answers and rationales. Here are the first 5.

1. 1.A client is prescribed amoxicillin 500 mg PO. The bottle contains 250 mg per 5 mL. How many mL should the practical nurse measure for one dose?

   • A.5 mL
   • B.10 mL
   • C.2.5 mL
   • D.15 mL

   Rationale: The prescribed dose is twice the amount in 5 mL, so the nurse measures 10 mL. Five mL provides only 250 mg, and 2.5 mL provides 125 mg. Fifteen mL would provide 750 mg. Calculate the dose from the concentration before measuring.

2. 2.A client is prescribed furosemide 40 mg PO. Available tablets contain 20 mg each. How many tablets should the practical nurse give?

   • A.1 tablet
   • B.2 tablets
   • C.0.5 tablet
   • D.4 tablets

   Rationale: Divide the prescribed 40 mg by 20 mg per tablet to get 2 tablets. One tablet gives only 20 mg, and half a tablet gives 10 mg. Four tablets would give 80 mg. Verify the tablet strength and prescribed dose before administration.

3. 3.A child weighing 18 kg is prescribed a medication at 10 mg/kg/dose. How many mg should the practical nurse prepare for one dose?

   • A.180 mg
   • B.28 mg
   • C.1,800 mg
   • D.10 mg

   Rationale: Multiply 18 kg by 10 mg/kg to obtain 180 mg per dose. Twenty-eight mg results from adding the values rather than multiplying. One thousand eight hundred mg is a tenfold error, and 10 mg omits the child's weight. Use the weight in kilograms and verify pediatric calculations per agency policy.

4. 4.A child weighs 22 lb and is prescribed a medication at 5 mg/kg/dose. Using 2.2 lb = 1 kg, how many mg should the practical nurse prepare?

   • A.50 mg
   • B.110 mg
   • C.10 mg
   • D.22 mg

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.

5. 5.A medication is prescribed at 750 mg PO. The liquid contains 250 mg per 5 mL. How many mL should the practical nurse administer?

   • A.5 mL
   • B.10 mL
   • C.15 mL
   • D.20 mL

   Answer and rationale are in the full material.