RMA Medical Mathematics and Dosage Calculations 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A physician orders 500 mg of a medication. The available tablets are 250 mg each. How many tablets should be administered?
- 1 tablet
- 2 tablets (Correct answer)
- 3 tablets
- 4 tablets
Correct answer: 2 tablets
Using the D/H × Q formula: (500 mg / 250 mg) × 1 tablet = 2 tablets.
Question 2: Convert 0.5 grams to milligrams.
- 5 mg
- 50 mg
- 500 mg (Correct answer)
- 5,000 mg
Correct answer: 500 mg
There are 1,000 mg in 1 gram, so 0.5 g × 1,000 = 500 mg.
Question 3: A patient weighs 154 lbs. What is their weight in kilograms? (Use 1 kg = 2.2 lbs)
- 60 kg
- 70 kg (Correct answer)
- 80 kg
- 90 kg
Correct answer: 70 kg
154 lbs ÷ 2.2 lbs/kg = 70 kg.
Question 4: The order reads: Give 0.25 mg of digoxin. Available strength is 0.125 mg per tablet. How many tablets should be administered?
- 0.5 tablet
- 1 tablet
- 2 tablets (Correct answer)
- 4 tablets
Correct answer: 2 tablets
0.25 mg ÷ 0.125 mg/tablet = 2 tablets.
Question 5: Which formula is the standard method for calculating medication dosage?
- Desired dose × Weight ÷ Have
- (Desired ÷ Have) × Quantity (Correct answer)
- Have × Quantity ÷ Desired
- Desired × Quantity × Weight
Correct answer: (Desired ÷ Have) × Quantity
The D/H × Q (Desired divided by Have, multiplied by Quantity) formula is the standard dosage calculation method.
Question 6: How many milliliters (mL) are in 1 tablespoon?
- 5 mL
- 10 mL
- 15 mL (Correct answer)
- 30 mL
Correct answer: 15 mL
1 tablespoon equals 15 mL in standard household-to-metric conversion.
Question 7: A physician orders 1.5 g of amoxicillin. The medication is available as 500 mg capsules. How many capsules should be given?
- 1 capsule
- 2 capsules
- 3 capsules (Correct answer)
- 4 capsules
Correct answer: 3 capsules
1.5 g = 1,500 mg; 1,500 mg ÷ 500 mg/capsule = 3 capsules.
RMA Medical Mathematics and Dosage Calculations 1
A physician orders 500 mg of a medication.
The available tablets are 250 mg each.
How many tablets should be administered?