Question

A nurse reviews a medication order and finds that it is incomplete, lacking dosage information. What should the nurse do next

Answer 1

Correct Answers:

Contact the prescriber to obtain the missing dosage information before administering the medication.

Rationale :

🔹 The nurse must verify all components of a medication order, including dose, before administration to ensure safety and accuracy.

🔹 Administering a medication without a prescribed dose violates the “Right Dose” of medication administration.

🔹 Only the prescriber has legal authority to determine or change the drug dose, not the nurse.

🔹 Clarifying incomplete orders prevents medication errors, toxicity, and underdosing.

🔹 Contacting the prescriber ensures compliance with professional, legal, and institutional policies regarding safe medication administration.

Use clinical judgment to determine a dose

🔹 Nurses cannot prescribe medications.

🔹 Choosing a dose is outside the scope of practice and unsafe.

Administer a standard dose

🔹 “Standard dose” may be incorrect for this client’s age, weight, or condition.

🔹 Administering without an order is considered medication error.

Hold the medication and document

🔹 Holding without clarification delays treatment.

🔹 The priority action is to clarify, not simply withhold.

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Answer 2

Correct Answers:

1 tsp

Rationale :

🔹 The ordered dose (12.5 mg) exactly matches the strength in 5 mL, so the client needs 5 mL.

🔹 1 teaspoon = 5 mL, making the dose equal to 1 tsp.

🔹 Using teaspoon units ensures accurate household measurement.

🔹 No rounding is needed because the result is a whole number.

🔹 This dose matches safe pediatric administration guidelines for diphenhydramine.

2 tsp

🔹 Would give 10 mL = 25 mg, double the intended dose.

🔹 Risk of sedation or toxicity.

12.5 tsp

🔹 Extremely inaccurate—this would be 62.5 mL, a dangerous overdose.

🔹 Not mathematically related to ordered dose.

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Answer 3

Correct Answers:

Dosing should be based on the child's weight, and medications like acetaminophen can be given as needed.

Rationale :

🔹 Pediatric dosing is always based on mg/kg, ensuring safety and avoiding overdose.

🔹 Acetaminophen is appropriate for infants after vaccines when dosed correctly.

🔹 Infants do not have adult metabolism; improper dosing can cause organ toxicity.

🔹 Accurate weight-based dosing supports effective fever control without risk.

🔹 This response promotes safe parental medication practices, reducing medication errors.

Aspirin is safe

🔹 Aspirin is contraindicated for children due to Reye syndrome risk.

🔹 Dangerous for infants and NOT recommended.

Consult pediatrician before any fever medication

🔹 Caregivers can safely give acetaminophen for post-immunization fever without calling every time.

🔹 This delays simple and appropriate treatment.

Give adult doses

🔹 Infants have immature liver and kidney function, making adult doses unsafe.

🔹 Risk of severe overdose.

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Answer 4

Correct Answers:

4.1

Rationale :

🔹 Weight must be converted from 29 lb → 13.2 kg for accurate mg/kg dosing.

🔹 Total daily dose = 50 mg × 13.2 kg = 660 mg/day.

🔹 q6h dosing divides into 4 equal doses → 165 mg per dose.

🔹 Using the concentration 200 mg/5 mL, the nurse calculates:

🔹165 mg × 5/200 =4.1 mL

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Answer 5

Correct Answers:

Yes, because the total daily dose is 900 mg, which is within the safe range of 700 mg to 1400 mg.

Rationale :

🔹 Weight conversion: 77 lb → 35 kg, essential for mg/kg/day dosing.

🔹 Safe range:

20 mg × 35 kg = 700 mg/day

40 mg × 35 kg = 1400 mg/day

→ Safe range = 700–1400 mg/day

🔹 Ordered dose: 300 mg × 3 doses/day = 900 mg/day.

🔹 900 mg/day fits safely within the recommended mg/kg range.

🔹 This confirms that both the dose and frequency are appropriate and safe for the child.

600 mg/day

🔹 Incorrect—true daily dose is 900 mg, not 600 mg.

🔹 Also suggests a dose below the safe range.

Below safe range

🔹 Incorrect—900 mg/day is not below 700 mg; it is within range.

1200 mg exceeds safe range

🔹 Incorrect: ordered dose is 900 mg, not 1200 mg.

🔹 1200 mg would still actually be within the safe range.

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Answer 6

Correct Answers:

1 tsp

Rationale :

🔹 1 teaspoon (tsp) equals 5 mL, which is a standard and commonly taught household conversion.

🔹 Since the prescription is for 5 mL, this directly corresponds to 1 tsp with no extra math needed.

🔹 Using teaspoons helps clients and caregivers measure accurately at home with household tools.

🔹 Teaching the correct tsp equivalent reduces the risk of underdose or overdose.

🔹 This conversion is especially important in pediatric and home dosing, where mL-to-tsp understanding is critical.

5 tsp

🔹 5 tsp = 25 mL, which is five times the ordered volume.

🔹 This would result in dangerous overdosing of the medication.

0.5 tsp

🔹 0.5 tsp = 2.5 mL, giving half the prescribed dose.

🔹 Leads to subtherapeutic dosing and possible treatment failure.

2.5 tsp

🔹 2.5 tsp = 12.5 mL, more than double the prescribed volume.

🔹 Increases risk of toxicity and adverse effects.

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Answer 7

Correct Answers:

Double-check the medication dosage with another nurse before administration.?

Rationale :

🔷 High-alert medications (e.g., insulin, heparin, opioids, chemo) have a higher risk of causing serious harm if given incorrectly.

🔷 Independent double-checks with another nurse reduce errors in dose, route, patient, and drug.

🔷 This is a recommended safety standard in most institutions and aligns with patient safety goals.

🔷 A second nurse verifying the dose helps catch calculation mistakes or look-alike/sound-alike errors.

🔷 This practice supports a culture of safety and shared responsibility in medication administration.

Administer the medication quickly

🔷 Speed does not equal safety; rushing increases error risk.

🔷 High-alert medications require extra caution and verification, not haste.

Have the client verify the dose

🔷 Clients generally lack the pharmacologic knowledge to confirm dose accuracy.

🔷 Responsibility for verification lies with licensed professionals, not patients.

Assume pharmacy dose is correct

🔷 Even pharmacy-prepared doses can be incorrect; nurses are the final safety check.

🔷 Never assume—always verify high-alert meds.

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Answer 8

Correct Answers:

1.5

Rationale :

🔸 The nurse divides the ordered dose (450 mg) by the available strength (300 mg) to determine number of capsules.

🔸 450÷300=1.5 capsules450 ÷ 300 = 1.5 { capsules}450÷300=1.5 capsules

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Answer 9

Correct Answers:

15 ml

Rationale :

🔵 The nurse must know that 1 oz = 30 mL as a standard conversion.

🔵 0.5 oz × 30 mL/oz = 15 mL, so the ordered amount of apple juice is 15 mL.

🔵 Accurate volume measurement ensures the client receives the correct diluent or vehicle volume with the medication.

🔵 Rounding to the nearest whole number is appropriate here and matches the exact value (15).

🔵 Understanding apothecary-to-metric conversions is essential for safe medication preparation.

5 mL

🔵 5 mL is only one-third of 15 mL.

🔵 This would provide less than the ordered volume, altering dilution.

7.5 mL

🔵 7.5 mL is half of 15 mL; still incorrect.

🔵 Indicates confusion between oz and tablespoon conversions.

10 mL

🔵 10 mL is not equivalent to 0.5 oz.

🔵 Miscalculation of 30 mL per ounce.

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Answer 10

Correct Answers:

16 fluid ounces

Rationale :

🟣 In the apothecary/household system, 1 pint = 16 fluid ounces (fl oz).

🟣 This is a fixed conversion used frequently in liquid medication volumes and IV solutions.

🟣 Knowing pint-to-oz conversion helps nurses understand total volumes (e.g., daily intake,outputs, IV fluids).

🟣 This also supports safe parent teaching when using household measures at home.

🟣 It is a foundational memory point for exam calculations and clinical practice.

20 fluid ounces

🟣 Overestimates a pint; 20 fl oz ≠ 1 pint.

🟣 Could cause volume miscalculations.

12 fluid ounces

🟣 Underestimates true volume of a pint.

🟣 Could underdose liquid medications or miscalculate fluid intake.

8 fluid ounces

🟣 8 fl oz = 1 cup, not 1 pint.

🟣 A pint is two cups, so 16 fl oz.

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NR 414 Medication Administration and Dosage Calculation Exam Pediatric and Adult Focus

No.

1 :
A nurse reviews a medication order and finds that it is incomplete, lacking dosage information. What should the nurse do next

2 :
A nurse is preparing to administer diphenhydramine 12.5 mg PO every 6 hr. Available is diphenhydramine syrup 12.5 mg/5 mL. How many tsp should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

3 :
When teaching a parent about pediatric dosing for a 6-month-old infant's fever after immunization, which of the following statements regarding medication should the nurse emphasize?

4 :
A nurse is preparing to administer erythromycin 50 mg/kg/day PO divided in equal doses every 6 hr. to a client who weighs 29 lb. Available is erythromycin suspension 200 mg/5 ml. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth.) ml

5 :
A child weighing 77 lb. is prescribed Ibuprofen 300 mg PO q8h. Calculate the total daily dose prescribed 20-40 mg/kg/day PO. Is it within the safe range?

6 :
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a prescription for amoxicillin 5 mL PO. How many teaspoons (tsp) should the nurse instruct the client to take?

7 :
A nurse is administering a high-alert medication to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent an adverse drug event (ADE37

8 :
A nurse is preparing to administer lithium 450 mg PO daily. Available is lithium 300 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) capsule(s)

9 :
A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide 20 mg PO in 0.5 oz of apple juice. How many ml. of apple juice will the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

10 :
When teaching a parent about apothecary measurements, how should a nurse explain the conversion of 1 pint of liquid medication into fluid ounces for pediatric dosing?

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NR 414 Medication Administration and Dosage Calculation Exam Pediatric and Adult Focus

No.

1 : A nurse reviews a medication order and finds that it is incomplete, lacking dosage information. What should the nurse do next

2 : A nurse is preparing to administer diphenhydramine 12.5 mg PO every 6 hr. Available is diphenhydramine syrup 12.5 mg/5 mL. How many tsp should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

3 : When teaching a parent about pediatric dosing for a 6-month-old infant's fever after immunization, which of the following statements regarding medication should the nurse emphasize?

4 : A nurse is preparing to administer erythromycin 50 mg/kg/day PO divided in equal doses every 6 hr. to a client who weighs 29 lb. Available is erythromycin suspension 200 mg/5 ml. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth.) ml

5 : A child weighing 77 lb. is prescribed Ibuprofen 300 mg PO q8h. Calculate the total daily dose prescribed 20-40 mg/kg/day PO. Is it within the safe range?

6 : A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a prescription for amoxicillin 5 mL PO. How many teaspoons (tsp) should the nurse instruct the client to take?

7 : A nurse is administering a high-alert medication to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent an adverse drug event (ADE37

8 : A nurse is preparing to administer lithium 450 mg PO daily. Available is lithium 300 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) capsule(s)

9 : A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide 20 mg PO in 0.5 oz of apple juice. How many ml. of apple juice will the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

10 : When teaching a parent about apothecary measurements, how should a nurse explain the conversion of 1 pint of liquid medication into fluid ounces for pediatric dosing?

1 :
A nurse reviews a medication order and finds that it is incomplete, lacking dosage information. What should the nurse do next

2 :
A nurse is preparing to administer diphenhydramine 12.5 mg PO every 6 hr. Available is diphenhydramine syrup 12.5 mg/5 mL. How many tsp should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

3 :
When teaching a parent about pediatric dosing for a 6-month-old infant's fever after immunization, which of the following statements regarding medication should the nurse emphasize?

4 :
A nurse is preparing to administer erythromycin 50 mg/kg/day PO divided in equal doses every 6 hr. to a client who weighs 29 lb. Available is erythromycin suspension 200 mg/5 ml. How many mL should the nurse administer per dose? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth.) ml

5 :
A child weighing 77 lb. is prescribed Ibuprofen 300 mg PO q8h. Calculate the total daily dose prescribed 20-40 mg/kg/day PO. Is it within the safe range?

6 :
A nurse is reinforcing teaching with a client who has a prescription for amoxicillin 5 mL PO. How many teaspoons (tsp) should the nurse instruct the client to take?

7 :
A nurse is administering a high-alert medication to a client. Which of the following actions should the nurse take to prevent an adverse drug event (ADE37

8 :
A nurse is preparing to administer lithium 450 mg PO daily. Available is lithium 300 mg capsules. How many capsules should the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest tenth. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.) capsule(s)

9 :
A nurse is preparing to administer furosemide 20 mg PO in 0.5 oz of apple juice. How many ml. of apple juice will the nurse administer? (Round the answer to the nearest whole number. Use a leading zero if it applies. Do not use a trailing zero.)

10 :
When teaching a parent about apothecary measurements, how should a nurse explain the conversion of 1 pint of liquid medication into fluid ounces for pediatric dosing?