1. A patient is prescribed 500 mg of amoxicillin every 8 hours for 10 days.

The pharmacy has amoxicillin suspension 250 mg/5 mL. How many

milliliters of the suspension should the nurse administer per dose?

a) 5 mL

b) 10 mL*

c) 15 mL

d) 20 mL

Rationale: Using dimensional analysis, the nurse should set up the

equation as follows: 500 mg x (5 mL/250 mg) = 10 mL.

2. A patient with diabetes mellitus is ordered to receive 12 units of regular

insulin and 28 units of NPH insulin subcutaneously before breakfast. The

nurse has two syringes: one with a capacity of 50 units and one with a

capacity of 100 units. Which syringe should the nurse use to administer

the insulin and why?

a) The 50-unit syringe, because it is more accurate for smaller doses.

b) The 50-unit syringe, because it can hold both types of insulin.

c) The 100-unit syringe, because it can hold both types of insulin.*

d) The 100-unit syringe, because it is more accurate for larger doses.

Rationale: The nurse should use the 100-unit syringe, because it can hold

both types of insulin and the total dose is 40 units. The 50-unit syringe

cannot hold the total dose and would require two injections.

3. A patient with hypertension is prescribed amlodipine 5 mg once daily.

The nurse has amlodipine tablets 2.5 mg. How many tablets should the

nurse administer per dose?

a) 0.5 tablet

b) 1 tablet

c) 2 tablets*

d) 4 tablets

Rationale: Using dimensional analysis, the nurse should set up the

equation as follows: 5 mg x (1 tablet/2.5 mg) = 2 tablets.

4. A patient with chronic kidney disease is ordered to receive epoetin alfa

50 units/kg intravenously three times a week. The patient weighs 70 kg.

The nurse has epoetin alfa injection 2000 units/mL. How many milliliters

of the injection should the nurse administer per dose?

a) 0.875 mL