Use dimensional analysis to keep the ordered dose, the product concentration, and the answer's units separate. This guide gives you 25 nursing dosage calculation problems with worked answers, covering tablets, liquid volume, IV pump rates, gravity infusions, and weight-based calculations.
Download the free 25-question dosage worksheet and answer key (PDF). No email or account is required. Work the questions on paper, then compare your setup with the answers below.
Reviewed and calculations rechecked November 9, 2026.
These are fictional math exercises using supplied orders and concentrations. They do not establish that a medication, dose, route, or infusion is appropriate for a real patient. In clinical practice, verify the order, product label, relevant patient information, and required checks with your instructor, pharmacist, and local policy.
A repeatable dimensional-analysis method
- Write the unit you need. Tablets, mL per dose, gtt/min, and mL/hr answer different questions.
- Copy the complete supplied order and concentration. Do not turn mg/kg/day into mg/kg/dose or substitute a remembered product strength.
- Convert incompatible units. For these exercises, 1 g = 1,000 mg, 1 mg = 1,000 mcg, and 1 hour = 60 minutes.
- Arrange fractions so unwanted units cancel. Multiply and divide only after the setup has the right units.
- Round at the end using the instruction given. Check whether the result can be measured or programmed with the specified device.
For example, an exercise gives 125 mg and a concentration of 250 mg in 5 mL:
125 mg × 5 mL / 250 mg = 2.5 mL. The mg units cancel, leaving the volume required.
The 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan includes calculations and assessment of medication orders within medication-administration activities. A correct calculation is one part of safe administration; it does not replace checking whether an order fits the patient.
Formula reference
| Task | Setup | Check before calculating |
|---|---|---|
| Tablets or liquid volume | Ordered amount × supplied quantity / amount in that quantity | Use matching dose units and the actual product concentration. |
| IV pump rate | Volume in mL / time in hours | Convert minutes to hours or include 60 min/hr. |
| Gravity infusion | Volume in mL × tubing drop factor in gtt/mL / time in minutes | Read the tubing's actual drop factor. |
| Weight-based dose | Ordered mg/kg/dose × weight in kg | A daily order needs a further division into the prescribed number of doses. |
| Weight-based infusion | Ordered mcg/kg/min × kg × 60 min/hr / concentration in mcg/mL | Convert the bag's mg to mcg before finding mcg/mL. |
Rounding and notation used in this worksheet
Gravity answers are rounded to the nearest whole gtt/min. When a pump or liquid answer is not exact, the question specifies rounding to the nearest 0.1 mL/hr or 0.1 mL. That is an exercise instruction, not a universal clinical rounding rule. Pump programming increments and measurable syringe volumes depend on the device and clinical requirements. Do not automatically round a weight-based infusion to a whole mL/hr.
Use a leading zero for amounts below one, such as 0.5 mL, and omit unnecessary trailing decimal zeros, such as 5 mg rather than 5.0 mg. Use mL for oral liquid volumes and a measuring device suited to the label and amount. The NCPDP dosing recommendations hosted by FDA explain these notation and measurement principles. FDA also advises asking the pharmacist for an appropriate measuring device instead of using an eating or cooking spoon in its medicine-use guidance.
25 practice problems with answers
Try each question before reading its answer. Keep the units visible throughout your setup. The fictional orders below are supplied for arithmetic practice, not as recommended patient doses.
Dose, tablets, and liquid volume
Question 1
The supplied order is 650 mg. Each tablet contains 325 mg. How many tablets are required?
Answer: 2 tablets.
Setup: 650 mg × 1 tablet / 325 mg.
Question 2
The supplied order is 125 mg. The liquid contains 250 mg in 5 mL. What volume is required?
Answer: 2.5 mL.
Setup: 125 mg × 5 mL / 250 mg.
Question 3
The supplied order is 0.75 g. Each tablet contains 250 mg. How many tablets are required?
Answer: 3 tablets.
Setup: 0.75 g × 1,000 mg / 1 g × 1 tablet / 250 mg.
Question 4
The supplied order is 1 g. The labeled solution contains 2 g in 100 mL. What volume contains the ordered amount?
Answer: 50 mL.
Setup: 1 g × 100 mL / 2 g.
Question 5
The supplied order is 0.4 mg. The label states 0.8 mg in 2 mL. What volume contains 0.4 mg?
Answer: 1 mL.
Setup: 0.4 mg × 2 mL / 0.8 mg.
IV pump rates: mL/hr
Question 6
A supplied order calls for 100 mL over 30 minutes. Calculate mL/hr.
Answer: 200 mL/hr.
Setup: 100 mL × 60 min/hr / 30 min.
Question 7
A supplied order calls for 1,000 mL over 10 hours. Calculate mL/hr.
Answer: 100 mL/hr.
Setup: 1,000 mL / 10 hr.
Question 8
A supplied order calls for 250 mL over 2.5 hours. Calculate mL/hr.
Answer: 100 mL/hr.
Setup: 250 mL / 2.5 hr.
Question 9
A supplied order calls for 400 mL over 3 hours. Calculate mL/hr, rounded to the nearest 0.1 mL/hr for this exercise.
Answer: 133.3 mL/hr.
Setup: 400 mL / 3 hr = 133.333… mL/hr.
Question 10
A supplied order calls for 75 mL over 45 minutes. Calculate mL/hr.
Answer: 100 mL/hr.
Setup: 75 mL × 60 min/hr / 45 min.
Gravity infusions: gtt/min
Question 11
Infuse 1,000 mL over 8 hours using tubing labeled 15 gtt/mL. Calculate the nearest whole gtt/min.
Answer: 31 gtt/min.
Setup: 1,000 mL × 15 gtt/mL / 480 min = 31.25 gtt/min.
Question 12
Infuse 500 mL over 4 hours using tubing labeled 10 gtt/mL. Calculate the nearest whole gtt/min.
Answer: 21 gtt/min.
Setup: 500 mL × 10 gtt/mL / 240 min = 20.833… gtt/min.
Question 13
Infuse 250 mL over 2 hours using tubing labeled 20 gtt/mL. Calculate the nearest whole gtt/min.
Answer: 42 gtt/min.
Setup: 250 mL × 20 gtt/mL / 120 min = 41.666… gtt/min.
Question 14
Infuse 125 mL over 1 hour using tubing labeled 15 gtt/mL. Calculate the nearest whole gtt/min.
Answer: 31 gtt/min.
Setup: 125 mL × 15 gtt/mL / 60 min = 31.25 gtt/min.
Question 15
Infuse 75 mL over 30 minutes using tubing labeled 60 gtt/mL. Calculate the nearest whole gtt/min.
Answer: 150 gtt/min.
Setup: 75 mL × 60 gtt/mL / 30 min.
Weight-based and divided doses
Question 16
A fictional weight-based order states 25 mg/kg/dose for an 18 kg patient. The supplied liquid contains 250 mg in 5 mL. Calculate mL per dose.
Answer: 9 mL/dose.
Setup: 25 mg/kg/dose × 18 kg = 450 mg/dose; 450 mg/dose × 5 mL / 250 mg.
Question 17
A fictional order states 40 mg/kg/day for a 20 kg patient, divided into 4 equal doses. The liquid contains 100 mg in 5 mL. Calculate mL per dose.
Answer: 10 mL/dose.
Setup: 40 mg/kg/day × 20 kg = 800 mg/day; 800 / 4 = 200 mg/dose; 200 mg/dose × 5 mL / 100 mg.
Question 18
A fictional order states 5 mg/kg/dose. The patient weighs 66 lb; use 2.2 lb = 1 kg for this exercise. The liquid contains 50 mg in 5 mL. Calculate mL per dose.
Answer: 15 mL/dose.
Setup: 66 lb × 1 kg / 2.2 lb = 30 kg; 5 mg/kg/dose × 30 kg = 150 mg/dose; 150 mg/dose × 5 mL / 50 mg.
Question 19
A fictional order states 15 mg/kg/dose for a 22 kg patient. The liquid contains 160 mg in 5 mL. Calculate mL per dose, rounded to the nearest 0.1 mL for this exercise.
Answer: 10.3 mL/dose.
Setup: 15 mg/kg/dose × 22 kg = 330 mg/dose; 330 mg/dose × 5 mL / 160 mg = 10.3125 mL/dose.
Question 20
A fictional order states 14 mg/kg/day for a 20 kg patient, divided into 2 equal doses. The liquid contains 250 mg in 5 mL. Calculate mL per dose.
Answer: 2.8 mL/dose.
Setup: 14 mg/kg/day × 20 kg = 280 mg/day; 280 / 2 = 140 mg/dose; 140 mg/dose × 5 mL / 250 mg.
Weight-based infusion rates: mcg/kg/min
Question 21
A fictional infusion order states 5 mcg/kg/min for an 80 kg patient. The bag contains 400 mg in 250 mL. Calculate mL/hr.
Answer: 15 mL/hr.
Setup: 400 mg × 1,000 mcg/mg / 250 mL = 1,600 mcg/mL; 5 mcg/kg/min × 80 kg × 60 min/hr / 1,600 mcg/mL.
Question 22
A fictional infusion order states 7.5 mcg/kg/min for a 60 kg patient. The bag contains 400 mg in 250 mL. Calculate mL/hr, rounded to the nearest 0.1 mL/hr for this exercise.
Answer: 16.9 mL/hr.
Setup: 400 mg × 1,000 mcg/mg / 250 mL = 1,600 mcg/mL; 7.5 mcg/kg/min × 60 kg × 60 min/hr / 1,600 mcg/mL = 16.875 mL/hr.
Question 23
A fictional infusion order states 0.05 mcg/kg/min for a 70 kg patient. The bag contains 4 mg in 250 mL. Calculate mL/hr, rounded to the nearest 0.1 mL/hr for this exercise.
Answer: 13.1 mL/hr.
Setup: 4 mg × 1,000 mcg/mg / 250 mL = 16 mcg/mL; 0.05 mcg/kg/min × 70 kg × 60 min/hr / 16 mcg/mL = 13.125 mL/hr.
Question 24
A fictional infusion order states 0.02 mcg/kg/min for a 50 kg patient. The bag contains 1 mg in 250 mL. Calculate mL/hr.
Answer: 15 mL/hr.
Setup: 1 mg × 1,000 mcg/mg / 250 mL = 4 mcg/mL; 0.02 mcg/kg/min × 50 kg × 60 min/hr / 4 mcg/mL.
Question 25
A fictional infusion order states 0.375 mcg/kg/min for an 80 kg patient. The bag contains 20 mg in 100 mL. Calculate mL/hr.
Answer: 9 mL/hr.
Setup: 20 mg × 1,000 mcg/mg / 100 mL = 200 mcg/mL; 0.375 mcg/kg/min × 80 kg × 60 min/hr / 200 mcg/mL.
Check the answer before moving on
A useful check runs in both directions. For Question 2, 2.5 mL at 250 mg per 5 mL contains 125 mg. For Question 6, a rate of 200 mL/hr for half an hour delivers 100 mL. If the reverse calculation does not recover the given amount, revisit your units.
For a divided dose, reconstruct the daily amount. In Question 17, 10 mL contains 200 mg. Four such doses total 800 mg per day, matching 40 mg/kg/day × 20 kg. This catches the common error of giving the whole daily amount as one dose.
For an infusion, confirm the concentration before checking the rate. In Question 23, 4 mg in 250 mL is 16 mcg/mL, not 16 mg/mL. Its unrounded rate is 13.125 mL/hr; the answer is 13.1 mL/hr because this exercise specifically asks for the nearest tenth.
Frequently asked questions
Is mg/kg/day the same as mg/kg/dose?
No. A per-dose order gives the amount for one administration. A per-day order gives a daily total, which you then divide according to the prescribed schedule. Question 17 includes that second step explicitly.
Do I always round IV pump rates to a whole number?
No. Use the precision required by the question for an exercise. In clinical practice, use the device, order, and applicable policy. A blanket whole-number rule can change a weight-based infusion rate substantially.
When should I round during a calculation?
Keep full precision through the intermediate steps and round the final result as directed. Early rounding of weight, concentration, or time can change the answer.
Do all IV sets have the same drop factor?
No. Use the factor printed on the tubing in the problem or on the actual set. Do not assume that 10, 15, 20, or 60 gtt/mL applies unless it is supplied.
What if the calculated volume cannot be measured accurately?
That requires clarification of the preparation or delivery method through the appropriate clinical process. Do not invent a rounding rule or change the concentration on your own. In a classroom exercise, ask the instructor which device and rounding instruction are intended.
Does this worksheet supply an insulin correction or rounding rule?
No. An insulin calculation needs the exact prescribed regimen, product concentration, and delivery device. This worksheet does not supply an insulin-to-carbohydrate ratio, correction factor, or clinical rounding policy. Ask your instructor or clinical team to clarify those inputs.
Where is the printable PDF?
Download the 25-question worksheet with a separate worked answer key. It uses the same questions, concentrations, and rounding instructions as this article.
Where can I try an interactive dosage quiz?
Use our free dosage calculation quiz or IV drip-rate and infusion-time quiz. Review the explanation after answering and write down the step you missed.
Sources and further practice
- NCSBN: 2026 NCLEX-RN Test Plan - examination activity statements, including medication calculations and order verification.
- NCPDP: metric oral-liquid dosing recommendations, hosted by FDA - mL units, leading and trailing zeros, and appropriate measuring devices.
- FDA: talking with your pharmacist about safe medicine use - checking medicines and obtaining an appropriate liquid-measuring device.
- GoodNurse NGN case practice - apply cue recognition and reasoning alongside calculation skills.
The 25 questions are original GoodNurse educational exercises. They are not official NCLEX items, product-label dosing recommendations, or a validated readiness assessment.
