Nursing practice questions with comprehensive rationales
NurseDive Free Nursing Practice Question
A nurse is preparing to administer morphine oral solution 30 mg PO for breakthrough pain to a client who has cancer.
Available is morphine oral solution 20 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.)
This question is an excerpt from Nurse Dive's nursing test bank - ATI RN Dosage Calculation Proctored Exam. Take the full exam now
Full Explanation
Step 1 is: (30 mg ÷ 20 mg/mL) Step 2 is: 1.5 mL Step 3 is: Round 1.5 mL to the nearest whole number = 2 mL
Final calculated answer: 2 mL
Similar Questions
A nurse is teaching a client who has a new prescription for sucralfate 1 g PO BID.
Available is sucralfate 1 g/10 mL. How many tsp should the nurse instruct the client to self-administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number.
Use a leading zero if it applies.
Do not use a trailing zero.). tsp.
Full Explanation
Step 1 is to determine the amount of medication needed. The order is for 1 g and the available medication is 1 g/10 mL. So, we calculate 1 g ÷ 1 g/10 mL = 10 mL. Since 1 tsp is approximately 5 mL, we then calculate 10 mL ÷ 5 mL/tsp = 2 tsp. So the correct answer is 2 tsp.
A nurse is preparing to administer dextrose 5% in 0.45% sodium chloride 1 L with magnesium sulfate 1 g to infuse IV bolus over 12 hr. The nurse should set the IV pump to deliver how many mL/hr? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number.
Use a leading zero if it applies.
Do not use a trailing zero.). mL/hr.
Full Explanation
Step 1 is to calculate the total volume to be infused. The total volume is 1 L, which is equal to 1000 mL. Step 2 is to divide the total volume by the total time. The total time is 12 hours. So, the calculation is 1000 mL ÷ 12 hr = 83.33 mL/hr.
So, the correct answer is 83 mL/hr, after rounding to the nearest whole number.
A nurse is reviewing medications prescribed for a client.
For which of the following prescriptions should the nurse contact the provider for clarification?.
A. Meloxicam 15 mg Po daily.
Meloxicam 15 mg PO daily is a standard dose for treating osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
B. Regular insulin 8 units subcutaneous before meals.
This is a common sliding scale or fixed dose for insulin, which is adjusted based on blood glucose levels and meal intake.
C. Docusate sodium 200 mg PO at bedtime.
Docusate sodium 200 mg PO at bedtime is a common dose for preventing constipation.
D. Fentanyl 25 mcg/hr transdermal patch.
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid analgesic, approximately 50–100 times more potent than morphine. The transdermal patch formulation provides continuous systemic absorption of the drug over 72 hours, designed only for clients with chronic, persistent pain who are already opioid-tolerant. Because fentanyl carries a high risk of respiratory depression and overdose, it is contraindicated in opioid-naïve patients and should never be prescribed for acute or intermittent pain. Additionally, the patch takes several hours to reach therapeutic levels, so it is inappropriate for as-needed or initial pain management. Thus, a nurse should contact the provider for clarification before administering fentanyl transdermal patches—especially if the client’s opioid tolerance or pain condition is not clearly established.
Full Explanation
Choice A rationale:
Meloxicam 15 mg PO daily is a standard dose for treating osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Choice B rationale:
Regular insulin 8 units subcutaneous before meals is a typical dose for managing blood glucose levels in diabetes.
Choice C rationale:
Docusate sodium 200 mg PO at bedtime is a common dose for preventing constipation.
Choice D rationale:
Fentanyl 25 mcg/hr transdermal patch is a potent opioid, and the dose should be carefully monitored. If the client has not been on opioid therapy, this dose might be too high.