Practice Problems

1 tbsp = 15 mL * 1 fl. oz = 2 tbsp 1 tbsp = 3 tsp

1 tsp = 5 mL * 1 mL = 15 drops * 1 kg = 2.21 lb
1 mg = 1000 mcg 1 mL = 1cc 1 lb = 454 g
1 qt = 946 mL 1 gal = 4qt 1 lb = 16 oz
1 fl oz (fluid ounce) = 29.6 mL 1 kg = 2.20 lb

For the purpose of these practice exercises, I selected the

conversion factors above from the more complete table of
conversion factors found in Laulima’s Videos/Resources. Be sure
you have a printed copy of the table anytime for easy reference
when taking the online quizzes and long exams.

Convert the following:

a) 6.0 oz to mL (180 mL)

b) 4,000,000 mcg to lb (0.009 lb or 9 x 10-3 lb)

c) 1.0 L to fl oz (34 fl oz)

d) 152 lb to kg (69.0 kg)

Dosage Problems:
1. A patient’s order states Augmentin at 500 mg/day. The drug
supplied is 250 mg per tablet. How many tablets should be
administered? (2 tabs/day)
2. A patient has an order for heparin IV at 1200 units for every hour.
The concentration of heparin is 20,000 units/250 mL of D5W. At
what rate in mL/h should the IV be programmed? (15 mL/hour)

3. Order: administer digoxin 0.5 mg IV daily. Digoxin is available @

0.25 mg/mL. How many mL of heparin to administer per day? (2
mL/day)

4. Administer penicillin, 0.5 grams every 6 hours. Pharmacy

dispenses penicillin in 250 mg tablets. How many tabs to
administer per day? (8 tabs/day)

5. Doctor orders 2.0 mg/kg of a drug for a child weighing 97 lb. Drug
is available as 175 mg/2 mL. How many mL must the nurse
administer? (1.0 mL)

6. A doctor orders 8 mcg/kg/h of a drug to be infused. The drug is

available at 15 mg/250 mL and the patient weighs 180 lb. At what
flow rate in mL/h will you set the pump? (11 mL / hour)

7. A patient has Dopamine infusing at a rate of 39.3 mL/h. The bag

says 400 mg in 250 mL. The patient weighs 192 lb. How many
mcg/kg/min is the patient receiving? (SKIP)

8. Doctor’s order: 10 mg of an oral medication to be reconstituted.

Instruction on the 2.5 g container say to reconstitute with water
to make a concentration of 0.5 g / 3 mL.

8a. How many mL of water must be added to reconstitute the

drug? (15 mL)
 8b. How many milliliters (mL) would you administer for every
dose? (0.06 mL per dose)

9. How much does 1.0 gal of water weigh in pounds (lb)? Density of
water = 1.00 g/mL (8.3 lb)

10. How many pounds (lb) of mercury would fill a 5.0-liter

container if the density of Hg is 13.6 g/mL? (150 lb)

11. How many liters (L) would 1.0 lb of melted butter occupy if
the density of butter is 0.94 g/mL?

12. John’s diet restricts his intake of protein to 24 g per day. If

he eats 1.2 oz of protein, has he exceeded his protein limit for the
day? (YES, he exceeded the limit)

13. Ethanol has a density of 0.79 g/mL. What is the volume in

quarts (qt) of 1.50 kg of ethanol?