HESI DOSAGE CALCULATIONS PRACTICE EXAM
A client with cardiogenic shock weighs 220 lb and is receiving dopamine at the rate of 3
mcg/kg/minute. The solution strength available is dopamine 400 mg in 250 ml of D5W.
The nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric
value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.) - Answers -11.3
First, convert pounds to kg, 220 lb : X = 2.2 lb : 1 kg = 100 kg. Next, calculate the
dosage per minute, 3 mcg/kg/min x 100 kg = 300 mcg/min. Convert mcg/min to
mcg/hour, 300 mcg/min x 60 min=18,000 mcg/hour. Convert mcg/hr to mg/hour, 18,000
mcg/hr = 18.0 mg/hour. Calculate the rate, 400 mg : 250 ml = 18 mg : X ml 400X = 4500
X = 11.25 = 11.3 ml. So, 18 mg/11.3 ml should be infused at 11.3 ml/hour.
A client with hypertension who weighs 72.4 kg is receiving an infusion of nitroprusside
(Nipride) 50 mg in D5W 250 ml at 75 ml/hour. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client
receiving? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest
tenth.) - Answers -3.5
Calculate the mg/hour infusing, 50 mg : 250 ml = X : 75 ml 250X = 3750 and X = 15
mg/hour. Next, convert mg/hr to mcg/hour, 15 mg/hour = 1 mg / 1000 mcg = 15,000
mcg/hour, then divide by 60 min = 250 mcg/minute. Lastly, 250 mcg/72.4 kg/min = 3.45
= 3.5 mcg/kg/minute.
A client who weighs 70 kg is receiving a dopamine solution of 800 mg/500 ml normal
saline at 5 ml/hour. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client receiving? (Enter numeric
value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.) - Answers -1.9
To change ml/hour to mcg/kg/minute, use the formula: desired rate (5 ml/hour) / volume
available (500 ml) x dose available (800 mg) = 8 mg/hour. Next, convert milligrams/hour
to mcg/kg/minute: mg (8) x 1000 / kg (70) / 60 minutes = 1.904 = 1.9 mcg/kg/minute.
A client is receiving an IV solution of sodium chloride 0.9% (Normal Saline) 250 ml with
amiodarone (Cordarone) 1 gram at 17 ml/hour. How many mg/minute of amiodarone is
infusing? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.)
- Answers -Convert grams to mg, 1 gram equals 1,000 mg. Using ratio and proportion -
1,000 mg : 250 ml :: X mg : 1ml 250X= 1,000 so X = 4 mg/ml is the solution
concentration of amiodarone. The infusion rate (ml/hour) x concentration (mg/ml)
divided by 60 minutes/hour 17 ml/hour x 4 mg/ml = 68/60 = 1.13 = 1.1 mg/minute.
A client with hypertension who weighs 72.4 kg is receiving an infusion of nitroprusside
(Nipride) 50 mg in D5W 250 ml at 75 ml/hour. How many mcg/kg/minute is the client
receiving? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest
tenth.) - Answers -3.5
Calculate the mg/hour infusing, 50 mg : 250 ml = X : 75 ml 250X = 3750 and X = 15
mg/hour Next, convert mg/hr to mcg/hour, 15 mg/hour = 1 mg / 1000 mcg = 15,000
, mcg/hour, then divide by 60 min = 250 mcg/minute Lastly, 250 mcg/72.4 kg/min = 3.45
= 3.5 mcg/kg/minute
A client receives a prescription for an intravenous infusion 0.45% sodium chloride 500
ml to be infused over 6 hours. The nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver
how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric value only. If rounding is required, round to the
nearest whole number.) - Answers -83
Calculate using Volume/Time: 500 ml/6 hours = 83.3 ml/hour
The healthcare provider prescribes a continuous intravenous infusion of dextrose 5%
and 0.45% sodium chloride witth KCl 20 mEq/1000 ml to be delivered over 8 hours. The
nurse should program the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric
value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest whole number.) - Answers -125
Using the formula volume/time: 1000 ml/8 hours = 125 ml/hour
A client with cardiogenic shock weighs 220 lb and is receiving dopamine at the rate of 3
mcg/kg/minute. The solution strength available is dopamine 400 mg in 250 ml of D5W.
The nurse should set the infusion pump to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter numeric
value only. If rounding is required, round to the nearest tenth.) - Answers -11.3
First, convert pounds to kg, 220 lb : X = 2.2 lb : 1 kg = 100 kg Next, calculate the
dosage per minute, 3 mcg/kg/min x 100 kg = 300 mcg/min Convert mcg/min to
mcg/hour, 300 mcg/min x 60 min=18,000 mcg/hour Convert mcg/hr to mg/hour, 18,000
mcg/hr = 18.0 mg/hour Calculate the rate, 400 mg : 250 ml = 18 mg : X ml 400X = 4500
X = 11.25 = 11.3 ml. So, 18 mg/11.3 ml should be infused at 11.3 ml/hour.
A client who has a sinus infection is receiving a prescription for amoxicillin/clavulanate
potassium (Augmentin) 500 mg PO q8 hours. The available form is 250 mg
amoxicillin/125mg clavulanate tablets. How many tablets should the nurse administer
for each dose? (Enter numeric value only.) - Answers -2
Using Desired/Available formula: 500 mg/250 mg x 1 tablet = 2
A child who is scheduled for a kidney transplant receives a prescription for basiliximab
(Simulect) 20 mg IV 2 hours prior to surgery. The medication is available in a 20 mg vial
that is reconstituted by adding 5 ml sterile water for injection, and administered in a 50
ml bag of normal saline over 30 minutes. The nurse should program the infusion pump
to deliver how many ml/hour? (Enter the numeric value only.) - Answers -110
After reconstituting the medication vial, the nurse adds the 5 ml of medication to the 50
ml of sterile water to result in a 55 ml volume to infuse in 30 minutes. Using the formula,
Volume/Time = 55 ml / 0.5 hours = 110 ml/hour