Calculations

1. You are asked to prepare a 120 ml solution of drug X. Each teaspoonful must contain 3 mg of
drug X. How many milligrams of drug X are required?
a. 7.2 mg
b. 72 mg
c. 36 mg
d. 360 mg
e. 720 mg
Explanation: B is the answer. 3 mg = 5 ml so 120 ml of solution should contain 72 mg
120 ml/5 ml x 3 mg = 72 mg

2. The dose of gentamicin sulfate is 1.7 mg/kg body weight. How many milliliters of an injectable
solution containing 40 mg of gentamicin per ml should be administered to a person weighing 198
lbs?
a. 337 ml
b. 33.7 ml
c. 8.40 ml
d. 3.83 ml
e. 166.6 ml

Explanation: D is the answer. 198 lb / 2.2 lb/kg x 1.7 mg/kg / 40 mg/ml = 3.83 ml

3. The following TPN bag has been prepared for patient X

Amino acids 500gm
Dextrose 333gm
Lipids (20% lipid suspension) 750mL

Sodium (as NaCl) 80mEq (mol. wt = 58.5)

Potassium (as KCl) 60mEq (mol. wt = 74.5)
Magnesium (as MgSO4) 12mEq (mol wt = 120)
Calcium (as Ca Chloride) 4.5mEq (mol wt = 111)
Phosphate ( as K3PO4) 6mEq (mol wt = 212.27)

Based on this morning’s bloodwork, the TPN bag needs an additional 12mEq of MgSO4 (available as
50mg/mL) and an additional 16 mEq of KCl (available as 15% w/v KCl solution). How many mL of the
following should be added to the TPN bag already prepared, to ensure the patient’s needs are met?

A 7.2 ml MgSO4, 3.97 ml KCl

B 7.2 ml MgSO4, 7.95 ml KCl
C 14.4 ml MgSO4, 7.95 ml KCl
D 14.4 ml MgSO4, 15.8 ml KCl
E 28.8 ml MgSO4, 15.8 ml KCL
Explanation: C is the answer.
1 mmol MgSO4 = 120 mg
mEq = mmol x valence = mg substance/MW x valence
2 mEq = 1 mmol MgSO4 therefore 1 mEq = 60 mg
So we need a 12 mEq x 60 mg = 720 mg
720 mg / 50 mg/ml = 14.4 ml of MgSO4

1 mmol KCl = 74.5 mg

1 Meq = 1 mmol KCl = 74.5 mg
16 mEq x 74.5 mg x 1 g /1000 mg/ 15 g/100 ml = 7.95 mL KCL

4. A patient (weight = 204lbs) requires an infusion of dopamine to maintain cardiac output. The
initial infusion rate is 1 mcg/kg/min.

How many millilitres of dopamine are needed to provide a 10minute infusion (i.e. need dopamine to
run in the intravenous for 10 minutes)? Dopamine is supplied as a 40mg/mL vial.

A 2.3 ml
B 0.43 ml
C 0.023 ml
D 23.18 ml

Explanation: C is the answer

204 lb/2.2 lbs/kg = 92.7 kg
92.7 kg x 1 mcg/kg/min = 92.7 mcg/min x 10 min = 927 mcg in 10 minutes
.927 mg/40 mg/ml = 0.023 ml

5. A 6kg infant requires a continuous infusion of a drug to run at 1.5 ml/hour to deliver 4 mcg of
drug/kg per minute. Calculate the milligrams of drug that must be added to a 100-mL intravenous
infusion solution.
A 144 mg
B 96 mg
C 24 mg
D 15 mg
E 72 mg
Explanation: A is the answer.
6 kg x 4 mcg/kg/min = 24 mcg/min so in 1 hour this is 24 mcg/min x 60 min/hr = 1440 mcg/hr
This is equivalent to 1.44 mg/hr or 1.5 ml/hr. So 144 mg infused over 1 hour is administered at 1.5
ml/hr
6. Rx: morphine 25mcg/mL
Bupivacaine 0.1%

qs with normal saline to 75mL

How many millilitres of morphine are required to prepare this prescription?(morphine is available as
a 15mg/mL vial).

A 125
B 12.5
C 0.125
D 0.5
E 0.25
Explanation: C is the answer
25 mcg/ml x 75 ml = 1875 mcg of morphine required in 75 ml NS. So the amount of mL required is
1875 mcg / 15000 mcg/ml = 0.125 mL

7. How many milliequivalents of magnesium sulfate are represented in 2.0 grams of anhydrous
magnesium sulfate (MgSO4)? (Molecular Weight of MgSO4 = 120 )
A 16.7
B 8.35
C 66.6
D 33.3
E 133.2
Explanation: D is the answer.
MW of MgSO4 = 120 mg
EqW = 120/2 = 60 mg
1 mEQ = 60 mg
So if you have 2 g = 2000 mg then the mEq of MgSO4 is 2000 mg x 1 meq/60 mg = 33.3 mEq

8. The dose of vancomycin HCl is 1.9mg/kg/24hrs to maintain stable levels in patients who are
anephric (i.e. patient requires dialysis). How many millilitres of an injectable solution containing
vancomycin HCl 500mg/10mL are needed for a person weighing 165lbs, if you want the infusion to
run for 24hours?
A 6.27
B 142.5
C 2.85
D 11.4
E 7.6
Explanation: C is the answer.
165 lb x 1 kg/2.2 lb = 75 kg
75 kg x 1.9 mg/kg/24 hr = 142.5 mg/24hr
So the amount of vancomycin required is 142 mg x 10 ml/500 mg = 2.85 ml

9. How many milliliters of water should be added to 150mL of a 1:750 (w/v) solution of
benzalkonium chloride to make a 1:2500 (w/v) solution?
A 500
B 150
C 350
D 200
E 400
Explanation: C is the answer.
150 ml x 1 g/750 ml = 0.2 g of benzalkonium is contained in this volume.
We want to make a solution containing 1g/2500ml solution. We only have 0.2 g so only 1/5 of the
solution (2500 ml/5 = 500 mL) OR using the following equation, we can obtain the total amount of
liquid for 0.2 g of Benzalkonium:
0.2 g x 2500ml/1g = 500 mL solution
So we need to add 350 ml of water (500-150ml = 350 mL)

10. A solution contains 400 mg of Na+ ions per litre. How many milliosmoles are represented in the
solution? (mol wt Na = 23)
A 17.4
B 8.7
C 34.8
D 174
E 348
Explanation: A is the answer
1 mol Na = 1 Osm (1 Osm Na)
400 mg x 1 mOsm/23 mg = 17.39 mOsm

11. If a medication order calls for a dobutamine drip, 5ug/kg/min, for a patient weighing 116 lb,
what should be the drip rate, in drops per minute, if the 125mL infusion bag contains 250mg of
dobutamine and a microdrip chamber is used that delivers 60 drops/mL?
A 33
B 18
C 26
D 33
E 8

Explanation: E is the answer.

116 lb x 1 kg/2.2 lb = 52.7 kg
5 ug/kg/min x 52.7 kg = 263.6 ug/min
The infusion bag concentration: 250 mg x 1000 ug/1 mg / 125 ml = 2000 ug/ml
The amount of drug per drops in the bag is 2000 ug/ml x 1 ml/60 drops = 33.33 ug/drop
The drip rate (drops per minute) = 263 ug/min x 1 drop/33.33 ug = 8 drops/min
12. How many mL of a 1:50 stock solution of acetic acid should be used to make the following
prescription:
Acetic acid 0.25%
Water qs to 30 ml
A 7.5
B 3.75
C 15
D 30
E 37.5
Explanation: B is the answer.
0.25 g/100 ml x 30 ml = 0.075 g required in 30 ml solution
Given that we have a sock solution of 1:50 or 1 g/50 ml then for 0.075 g we need 3.75 ml of the 1:50
stock solution.
0.075 g x 50 ml/1g = 3.75 ml

13. The initial concentration of an antibiotic X is 500 mg/ml and after 90 minutes reaches 50 mg/ml.
What is the rate constant if it follows first order kinetic?
A 0.05
B 2.5
C 0.5
D 0.025
E 0.25

Explanation: D is the answer. K = 2.303/t x log Co/C = 2.303/90 x log 500/50 = 0.025 min-1

14. . A drug is to be given orally every six hours to achieve an average concentration of 15 mg/L.
Calculate the dose (F = 0.90) required if t1/2 = 11 hours and V = 23 L. Estimate the peak and trough
concentrations after steady state is reached.
A 300
B 150
C 145
D 18.2
E 15.5
Explanation: C is the answer.
t1/2 = 11 hr means the kel = 0.06 hr-1

Rearranging (Equation 73) gives

Thus, Dose = 15 x 23 x 0.06 x 6 / 0.9 = 145 mg. Give 150 mg to achieve a of 15.5 mg/L
Making various assumtions (Equation 71) can be used to
calculate Cpmin = (150 / 23) x (0.69 / (1 - 0.69)) = 12.8 mg/L
By rough estimation Cpmax can be calculated as 18.2 mg/L (15.5 + (15.5 - 12.8))

15. Consider the following information about drug X: D = 300 mg; T = 24 h; F = 0.70 (70%
absorption);Vd = 40 L; half-life = 15 hours: What is the Css (concentration at steady-state)
for drug X?
A 0.0462 ug/ml at 24 hours
B 4.7 ug/ml at 24 hours
C 2.4 ug/ml at 24 hours
D 6.76 ug/ml at 24 hours
E 4.73 mg/ml at 24 hours
Explanation: B is the answer.
o Css = F · (D/t)/(kel . Vd )
 F = 0.7 (fraction absorbed)
 D =300 mg
 t= 24 h (dosing interval, i.e. once a day)
 kel = 0.0462 / hour (elimination rate constant)
 Vd = 40 L (apparent volume of distribution)
o Css = 0.7 · (300 mg/24 hours) / (0.0462/hour · 40,000 ml)
o ANSWER: Css = 0.0047 mg/ml or 4.7 ug/ml at 24 hours

16. Consider the following information about drug X: D = 600 mg; T =24 h; F = 0.70 (70%
absorption);Vd = 40 L; half-life = 15 hours: What is the Css (concentration at steady-
state) for drug X?
A 2.4 ug/ml
B 4.7 ug/ml
C 9.5 ug/ml
D 19.0 ug/ml
E 1.2 ug/ml
Explanation: C is the answer
o Css = F · (D/t)/(kel . Vd )
 F = 0.7 (fraction absorbed)
 D =300 mg
 t= 6 h (dosing interval, i.e. 4 times a day)
 kel = 0.0462 / hour (elimination rate constant)
 Vd = 40 L (apparent volume of distribution)
o Css = 0.7 · (300 mg/6 hours) / (0.0462/hour · 40,000 ml)
o ANSWER: Css = 0.019 mg/ml or 19 ug/ml at 6 hours
 Consider the following information about drug X: D = 300 mg; T = 24 h; F = 0.70
17 (70% absorption);Vd = 40 L; half-life = 15 hours: What is the ke (elimination rate
constant)?

17.
0.133/hr

18.
0.933/hr

19.
0.046/hr

20.
1.44/hr

21.
0.693/hr

 C is the answer

o Css = F · (D/t)/(kel . Vd )

 F = 0.7 (fraction absorbed)

 D =300 mg

 t= 12 h (dosing interval, i.e. 2 times a day)

 kel = 0.0462 / hour (elimination rate constant)

 Vd = 40 L (apparent volume of distribution)

o Css = 0.7 · (300 mg/12 hours) / (0.0462/hour · 40,000 ml)

o ANSWER: Css = 0.0095 mg/ml or 9.5 ug/ml at 12 hours

18 Consider the following information about drug X: D =150mg; T =24 h; F = 0.70

(70% absorption);Vd = 40 L; half-life = 15 hours: What is the Css (concentration at
steady-state) for drug X?

22.
2.4 ug/ml

23.
4.7 ug/ml
 24.
9.5 ug/ml

25.
19 ug/ml

26.
none of the above

 A is the answer.

o Css = F · (D/t)/(kel . Vd )

 F = 0.7 (fraction absorbed)

 D =300 mg

 t= 48 h (dosing interval, i.e. once every 2 days)

 kel = 0.0462 / hour (elimination rate constant)

 Vd = 40 L (apparent volume of distribution)

o Css = 0.7 · (300 mg/48 hours) / (0.0462/hour · 40,000 ml)

o ANSWER: Css = 0.0024 mg/ml or 2.4 ug/ml at 12 hours – should say at 48hrs

 Note what happens to Css as we shorten or lengthen the dosage interval (qualitative %
quantitative effects)

Dose = 300 mg of Drug X

Time (hours) Css (ug/ml)

6 19

12 9.5

24 4.7

48 2.4

19 Consider the following information about drug X: D = 300 mg; T =6 h; F = 0.70

 (70% absorption);Vd = 40 L; half-life = 15 hours: What is the Css (concentration at
steady-state) for drug X? (note dosing interval is now 6 hours)

27.
4.7 ug/ml at 6 hours

28.
2.4 ug/ml at 6 hours

29.
19 ug/ml at 6 hours

30.
9.5 ug/ml at 6 hours

31.
none of the above

 C is the answer.

o Css = F · (D/t)/(kel . Vd )

 F = 0.7 (fraction absorbed)

 D =150 mg

 t= 24 h (dosing interval, i.e. once a day)

 kel = 0.0462 / hour (elimination rate constant)

 Vd = 40 L (apparent volume of distribution)

o Css = 0.7 · (150 mg/24 hours) / (0.0462/hour · 40,000 ml)

o ANSWER: Css = 0.0024 mg/ml or 2.4 ug/ml at 24 hours

20 Consider the following information about drug X: D = 300 mg; T =48 h; F = 0.70
(70% absorption);Vd = 40 L; half-life = 15 hours: What is the Css (concentration at
steady-state) for drug X? (note dosing interval is now 48 hours)

32.
16 ug/ml
 33.
4.7 ug/ml

34.
19 ug/ml

35.
2.4 ug/ml

36.
9.5 ug/ml

 D is the answer
o Css = F · (D/t)/(kel . Vd )
 F = 0.7 (fraction absorbed)
 D =600 mg
 t= 24 h (dosing interval, i.e. once a day)
 kel = 0.0462 / hour (elimination rate constant)
 Vd = 40 L (apparent volume of distribution)
o Css = 0.7 · (600 mg/24 hours) / (0.0462/hour · 40,000 ml)
o ANSWER: Css = 0.0095 mg/ml or 9.5 ug/ml at 24 hours
T is constant (once every 24 hours)

Dosage (mg) Css (ug/ml)

150 2.4

300 4.7

600 9.5

21. A technician receives a order for cloxacillin 800 mg in 100 ml NS

The 1 g vial of cloxacillin is used. The reconstitution instructions are use 3.4 ml of diluent for a final
volume of 4 ml of solution. The technician reconstitutes the vial with 5 ml of SW instead of 3.4 ml as
directed on the label. How much of the solution should be added to the 100 ml NS for the required
dose?
A 5.6
B 4.0
C 4.48
D 2.25
E 3.75
Explanation: C is the answer.
Volume occupied by the powder = 4 ml – 3.4 ml = 0.6 ml
So the total volume in the mistakenly diluted vial is 5 ml + 0.6 ml = 5.6 ml
The concentration of the vial is 1000 mg/5.6 ml = 178.6 mg/ml
So to obtain 800 mg of cloxacillin, you need 800 mg x 1 ml/178.6 mg = 4.48 mL

22. You receive a prescription for prednisone tapering. The prescption reads prednisone 45 mg x 2
days then taper by 5 mg every 2 days until on 5 mg daily x 10 days. Calculate the number of 5 mg
prednisone tablet to dispense.
A 90
B 100
C 92
D 98
E 54
Explanation: D is the answer.
45 mg x 2 days  9 tablets x 2 days = 18 tablets
40 mg x 2 days  8 tablets x 2 days = 16 tablets
35 mg x 2 days  7 tablets x 2 days = 14 tablets
30 mg x 2 days  6 tablets x 2 days = 12 tablets
25 mg x 2 days  5 tablets x 2 days = 10 tablets
20 mg x 2 days  4 tablets x 2 days = 8 tablets
15 mg x 2 days  3 tablets x 2 days = 6 tablets
10 mg x 2 days  2 tablets x 2 days = 4 tablets
5 mg x 10 days  1 tablet x 10 days = 10 tablets
Total # of 5 mg tablets: 98 tablets

23. You are dispensing a dilantin suspension for a patient in long-term care facility. The instructions
are to give 1 tsp twice daily for 2 weeks. How many milliliters should be dispensed?
A 70
B 420
C 210
D 100
E 140
Explanation: E is the answer.
5 ml/1 dose x 2 doses/day x 14 days = 140 ml

24. The AUC for a oral dose of a drug is 4.5 ug/ml/hr and for an IV dose is 11.2 ug/ml/hr. What is
the biovailability of an oral dose of this drug in percent?
A 0.4
B 40
C 2.5
D 250
E 33
 Explanation: B is the answer. F= AUC oral / AUC iv = 4.5 ug/ml/hr / 11.2 ug/ml/hr = 0.4

25. A patient has been receiving ranitidine 50 mg q8h IV while intubated in ICU. The patient is now
stable and ready to be transferred to a medical ward. The intensivist wants to change the
medication to the equivalent oral dose. The oral liquid form is only 50% bioavailable and is supplied
as 75 mg/teaspoonful. The physician wants a twice daily regimen. How many milliliters of ranitidine
should be given with each dose of ranitidine?
A 0.5
B 5
C 1
D 10
E 20
Explanation: D is the answer.
IV daily dose = 50 mg / 1 dose x 3 doses/day = 150 mg /day
F for IV route is 100% but only 50% for oral, so the oral dose required is 300 mg per day. Since we
are giving the 300mg/day as bid dosing – each dose is 150 mg
So the amount (ml) per dose is 150mg x 5 ml/75 mg = 10 ml

26. If a potassium chloride elixir contains 20 mEq of potassium in each 15 ml of elixir, how many mL
per day will provided to a patient requiring 25 mEq K+ TID?
A 18.75 ml
B 56.25 ml
C 36 ml
D 60 ml
E 45 ml
Explanation: B is the answer.
25 mEq x 15 ml/20 mEq = 18.75 ml for each dose
18.75 ml x 3 doses (TID) = 56.25 ml per day

27. How many grams of dextrose are required to prepare a 1000ml of a 5% w/v solution?
A 200 g
B 500 g
C 5000 g
D 50 g
E 5g
Explanation: D is the answer
5 g/100 ml x 1000 ml = 50 g

28. If an antibiotic contains 5 g of penicillin V potassium in 200 ml of solution, how many milligrams of
the antibiotic would be contained in each teaspoonful dose?
A 125 mg
B 12.5 mg
 C 375 mg
D 37.5 mg
E 200 mg
Explanation: A is the answer.
1 tsp = 5 ml, 1 tbsp = 15 ml
5 ml x 5 g/200 ml = 0.125 g or 125 mg per teaspoonful

29. a solution for direct intravenous bolus injection contains 200 mg of labetolol in each 20 ml of
injection. What is the final concentration in terms of ug/uL
A 100
B 10
C 1000
D 200
E 20
Explanation: B is the answer.
200 mg/ 20 ml x 1000 ug/1 mg x 1 ml/1000 uL = 10 ug/uL

30. A pharmacist attempted to weigh 150 mg of erythromycin power on a balance with a sensitivity
requirement of 6 mg. Calculate the maximum potential error in terms of percentage?
A 5
B 6
C 4
D 10
E 15
Explanation: C is the answer. Error in % = sensivity requirement/attempted weight x 100 %
6 mg/150 mg x 100% = 4 %

31. A technician weighted hydrocortisone powder as 475 mg on a balance of dubious accuracy. When
checked on a balance of greater accuracy, the weight was found to be 460 mg. What is the percentage
of the error in the first weighing?
A 3.16
B 96.8
C 15
D 1.5
E 0.15
Explanation: A is the answer
475-460 mg = 15 mg
15 mg/475 mg x 100% = 3.16 %

32. What is the percentage strength (% w/v) of an injection containing 50 mg of morphine in each
milliliter of solution?
A 50
B 5
C 0.05
D 2
E 0.5
Explanation: B is the answer.
50 mg / 1 mL x 1 g / 1000 mg x 100% = 5% w/v
33. If an injection contains 0.5% w/v of metoprolol, calculate the number of milligrams of the drug in 25
ml of injection?
A 125
B 1250
C 12.5
D 1.25
E 0.125
Explanation: A is the answer.
0.5 g / 100 mL x 1000 mg / 1 g x 25 mL = 125 mg

34. How many milliliters of acetic acid 10 % should be used to compound the following prescription
Acetic acid 1% w/v
Purified water ad 250 mL
A 2.5
B 0.25
C 1
D 10
E 25

Explanation: E is the answer

1 g / 100 mL x 250 mL = 2.5 g required
You have a stock solution of 10 g/100 mL (10 % acetic acid) so the amount required is
2.5 g x 100 ml / 10 g = 25 mL

35. A patient is not able to swallow oral medications. The pharmacist decides to make a suspension for
pantoloc. The following recipe is used:

Pantoloc 40 mg tablets 20 tablets

Sodium bicarbonate 1000 mg
Water qs as 100 ml

Calculate the percent strength of the pantoloc suspension for this prescription

A 0.8
B 0.4
C 8
D 4
E 0.08
Explanation: A is the answer.
20 tabs x 40 mg = 800 mg
800 mg = 0.8 g
0.8 g / 100 ml x 100 = 0.8 % w/v

36. The pharmacist has been asked to prepare fortified gentamicin eye drops. You have gentamicin 40
mg/ml injectable and gentamicin eye drops 0.03% available in your pharmacy. The following
compounding recipe is used:
Gentamicin injection 3 ml
 Gentamicin 0.3% ophthalmic solution 5ml
Calculate the percent concentration of the fortified gentamicin eye drop solution.
A 0.017
B 1.69
C 1.5
D 0.19
E 16.9

Explanation: B is the answer.

Amount of gentamicin from injection: 3 ml x 40 mg/mL = 120 mg or 0.12 g
Amount of gentamicin from eye drops: 5 ml x 0.3 g/100 mL = 0.015 g
Total gentamicin = 0.015 g + 0.12 g = 0.135 g
0.135 g / 8 ml x 100 ml = 1.69 % w/v

37. How many of mL of a 100% coal tar solution should be used to compound the following
prescription?
Coal tar 10%
Hydrocortisone lotion ad 240ml
A 24
B 2.4
C 0.24
D 2.16
E 21.6
Explanation: B is the answer.
10% of 240 ml = 24 mL is required
Given that we have 100% (v/v) coal tar, we would need 10 times less coal tar (so 24 ml/10 = 2.4 ml)

38. How many milliters of heparin sodium injection containing 200 000 units heparin in 10 ml should be
used to obtain a infusion bag containing 5000 units of heparin per 500 ml normal saline.
A 1.25
B 12.5
C 25
D 0.25
E 2.5
Explanation: D is the answer
5000 units x 10 ml/200 000 IU = 0.25 ml

39. A physician orders U-100 insulin 5 ml in 500 ml 5% dextrose for infusion in 8 hours. How many units
of insulin did the patient receive in 90 minutes?
A 0.94
B 93.8
C 750
D 9.4
E 7.5

Explanation: B is the answer.

5 ml x 100 units/mL = 500 units
500 units/ 8 hours x 1 hr/ 60 min x 90 minutes = 93.8 units
40. If a 500 ml of a 15% v/v solution is diluted to 2000 ml, what is the percentage strength of the
resulting solution?
A 60
B 37.5
C 3.75
D 6
E 20
Explanation: C is the answer
500 mL x 15 (%) = 2000 ml x X (%)
X = 2000 ml/500 ml x 15% = 3.75 %

42. If a solution containing 50% w/v sucrose is evaporated to 85% of its volume, what percent of
sucrose will it contain?
A 35
B 42.5
C 130
D 58.8
E 65
Explanation: d is the answer
Assume we have 100 ml of the 65% w/v solution which is evaporated to 85% of the volume so 85 ml
50 % x 100 ml = 85 ml x X (%)

43. A technician mixed 100 ml of 30% w/w concentrated hydrocholoric acid (specific gravity 1.20) with
enough purified water to make a 500 ml of diluted acid. Calculate the percentage strength (w/v) of the
diluted acid.
A 6.0
B 7.2
C 9.0
D 10.0
E 12.0

Explanation: B is the answer.

100 ml x 1.20 (specific gravity) – 120 g of concentrated acid
120 g x 30 % w/w = 36 g HCl
36 g/ 500 mL x 100% = 7.2% w/v

44. In what portion should 20% benzocaine ointment be mixed with an ointment base to produce a
2.5% benzocaine ointment?
A 1:7
B 1:8
C 1:10
D 1:6
E 1:5
Explanation: A is the answer. To make a 2.5% benzocaine ointment from 20%, assuming 1 g of 20% 
you need 0.125 g for 2.5% - This works out to 0.125 or 1:8 ratio so the 7 parts come from the ointment
base that does not contain any benzocaine.
20% | | 2.5 parts of 20% ointment
 | 2.5 % |
0% | | 17.5 parts of ointment base
Relative amounts = 2.5 : 17.5, or reduced = 1 : 7 (20% ointment : ointment base)

Proof of correctness of answer by allegation medial:

0.2 x 1 (part) = 0.2
0.0 x 7 (parts) = 0

Total: 8 0.2
0.2/8 = 0.025 x 100 = 2.5%

45. How many milliliters of 30% w/v dextrose solution and how milliliters of 10% w/v dextrose
solution are required to prepare 4 500 ml of a 15 % w/v solution?

A 1125 ml D30W, 3375 ml D10W

B 3375 ml D30W, 1125 ml D10W
C 1000 ml D30W, 3500 ml D10W

Explanation: A is the answer.

30% | | 5 parts of the 30% solution

| 15 % |
10% | | 15 parts of the 10% solution
Relative amounts = 5 : 15, or reduced = 1:3 (30% solution : 10% solution)
Total parts = 4
Volume per part = 4,500 mL / 4 (parts) = 1,125 mL
Volume of the 30% solution = 1 (part) x 1,125 mL
= 1,125 mL (= 1.125L)
Volume of the 10% solution = 3 (parts) x 1,125 mL
= 3,375 mL (= 3.375L)

OR,
1 part 30% solution = x . x = 1,125 mL
4 parts total 4,500 mL

3 parts 10% solution = x . x = 3,375 mL

4 parts total 4,500 mL

46. A prescription calls for hydrocortisone acetate ointment 0.25% ( M: 10 g). Apply to eye.
How many grams of 2.5% ophthalmic hydrocortisone and how many grams of ophthalmic base
(diluents) should be use in preparing the prescription?
A 1:9
B 1:10
C 1:8
D 1:12
E 1:5
Explanation: A is the answer
 2.5% | | 0.25
| 0.25 % |
0% | | 2.25
Total parts = 2.5
Grams per part = 10 g / 2.5 = 4 g
Grams of 2.5% ointment = 0.25 (parts) x 4 g = 1 g
Grams of ointment base = 2.25 (parts) x 4 g = 9 g

47. How many milliliters of a 2.5% w/v chlorpromazine injection and how many milliters of 0.9%
sodium chloride injection should be used to prepare a 500 ml of a 0.3% chlorpromazine
solution?
A 60 ml NaCl, 440 ml chlorpromazine
B 50 ml NaCl, 450 ml chlorpromazine
C 440ml NaCL, 60 ml chlorpromazine
D 450 ml NaCl, 50 ml chlorporamize
E 400 ml Nacl; 100 ml chlorpromazine

Explanation: C is the answer.

2.5% | | 0.3
| 0.3 % |
0% | | 2.2
Total parts = 2.5
Milliliters per part = 500 mL / 2.5 = 200 mL
Milliliters of 2.5% chlorpromazine hydrochloride = 200 mL x 0.3 (part) = 60 mL
Milliliters of 0.9% sodium chloride injection = 200 mL x 2.2 (parts) = 440 mL

48. A starting pediatric doses of Dilantin sodium (phenytoin sodium) is 6 mg/kg/day, administered in
three equally divided doses. Using tablets containing 50 mg of phenytoin sodium, a pharmacist
wants to prepare a suspension such that each 1 mL, to be delivered by calibrated dropper,
contains a single dose for a 44-lb child. How many tablets should be used to prepare 30 mL of
the suspension?
A 24
B 42
C 52
D 12
E 50
Explanation: A is the answer.
6 mg x 1 kg x 44 lb = 120 mg/day
1 kg/day 2.2 lb
120 mg / 3 (doses/day) = 40 mg/dose
40 mg x 30 mL = 1,200 (phenytoin sodium needed in Rx)
1 mL
1,200 mg x 1 tablet = 24 tablets
50 mg
49. If the serum concentration of phenytoin is found to be 28 ug/ml and is approximately 90%
protein bound. What is the plasma concentration of the free drug?

A 25
B 28
C 2.5
D 2.8
E 12.5
Explanation: D is the answer.
Since 90% is protein bound, only 10% is available as plasma (free) drug

50. A 6 mg dose is administered IV producing a blood concentration of 4 ug/ml. What is the volume
of distribution?
A 7.5
B 15
C 30
D 90
E 3.75
Explanation: B is the answer

51. The serum concentration of phenytoin is measured at 15 ug/ml after a 100 mg IV dose. What is
the volume of distribution in liters?
A 66.7
B 150
C 6.67
D 18
E 12
Explanation: C is the answer.
Vd = total amount of drug in body/serum concentration

52. The volume of distribution of a drug is 11.4L. What serum concentration would an IV dose of a
30 mg produce in ug/ml?
A 2.63
B 26.3
C 0.38
D 0.75
E 2.89
Explanation: A is the answer. Cp = Total drug in body/ Vd
 53. The elimination rate constant for warfarin is 0.58 hour-1. What is the half life?
A 11.9
B 2.9
C 1.19
D 110
E 3.5
Explanation: C is the answer.

54.An order for penicillin G potassium 400 000 units IM q6h is written. The nurse would like
information on how much diluent to add for a final concentration of 250 000 u/mL. The label of
the penicillin 5 000 000 IU says to add 18 ml of diluents to obtain a concentration of 250 000
u/ml. The physician has decided to give the penicillin as IM so he would like to give it as 1 ml to
cause little pain to the patient. How much diluents should be added to the vial to make the
strength required?
A 12.5
B 18
C 20
D 10.5
E 2
Explanation: D is the answer.
Total volume – 5 000 000 units x 1 ml/ 250 000 units = 20 mL
Given that you are only adding 18mL, the volume occupied by the powder is 2 mL
You need to obtain 400 000units per 1 ml using a 5 000 000 unit vial.
So the volume is 5 000 000 units x 1 ml/ 400 000 units = 12.5 ml of volume to give the desired
concentration. So you need to only add 10.5 ml of water (since the powder takes up 2 ml of
volume)

55. A physician orders 20 g of magnesium sulfate to be added to 1 L bag of D5W and infused at
1.5 g/hr. What is the flow rate in ml/hr?
A 37.5
B 75
C 150
E 22.5
F 25.5
Explanation: B is the answer.

56. A dose of 240 mg was given to a patient, his total body clearance is 3.5L/min and the drug excreted
unchanged in the urine is 80 mg. What is the non-renal clearance in liters per minute?
A 0.24
B 0.33
C 11.6
D 2.4
E 1.16
Explanation: D is the answer.
240 mg  100 % of the dose so 80 mg is 33% of the dose.
If the total body clearance is 3.5 L/min (100%) then 33% of it is renal which is 1.16 L/min
So non renal clearance is 3.5-1.16 = 2.4 L/min

57. A dose was given, after 2 hours the plasma concentration was 64 mg. T1/2 – 0.7hrs. after 7 hours
from the initial dose, what is the drug concentration?
A 0
B 1
C 2
D 3
E 4
Explanation: A is the answer
We need to see the concentration of the drug in 10 half-lives (7 hours/T1/2 = 10). However the 64 mg
concentration after 2 hours of the dose being given so we only have to look at the concentration at 5
hours so 7 half-lives (5/0.7 = 7.14). So the concentration is 0.5 approximately which is equal to 0
64 mg  32  16  8  4  2  1  0.5

58. What the absolute biovailability in percentage of Ketolorac tablet?

Tablet 50 mg AUC 40
IV 10 mg AUC 50
A 80
B 0.16
C 16
D 8
E 50

Explanation: C is the answer

If the IV AUC is 50 mg after giving 10 mg then the AUC would be 250 after giving 50 mg IV
Bioavailability = AUC tablet/AUC IV (At the same dose) = 40/250 = 0.16 x 100% = 16 %

59. Valproic acid is infused at 500 mg q8h and the clearance is 7.3L/hr. What is the steady state
concentration in mg per liters?
A 85.6
B 856
C 8.56
D 5.86
E 56.8
Explanation: C is the answer
Css = Rate of infusion/clearance
Rate of infusion = 500mg/8 hr = 62.5 mg/hr
Css = 62.5 mg/hr / 7.3 L/hr = 8.56 mg/L
60. Drug “Novel” has been found to have zero order kinetic. A 100 mg dose is given and after 6 days
the dose is 99 mg. How long (in days) will it take to eliminate Drug “Novel” from the body?
A 700
B 600
C 500
D 800
E 900
Explanation: B is the answer
1 mg of the drug is eliminated in 6 hours
So 100 mg of the drug is eliminated in 100 x 6 hours = 600 hours

61 Approximated 50% of cloxacillin is excreted unchanged in the urine. If the normal dosage schedule
for cloxacillin is 125 mg q6h, a patient with renal function 20% of normal should receive
A 25 mg q6h
B 31.25 mg q6h
C 62.5 mg q6h
D 75 mg q6h
E 125 mg q12h
Explanation: D is the answer
If no renal problems (100% renal function)  then 50% of cloxacillin is excreted unchanged in the urine
If 20% renal function  then only 30% of the cloxacillin is excreted unchanged in the urine (50-20%)
125 mg q6h (50% excretion in the urine) so  if only 30% is excreted then the dose is 75 mg q6h

62. Ampicillin is dosed at 1500 mg q24hr. The renal clearance of the drug is 1.2 mg/dL. Calculate the
clearance in ml/min
A 88.6
B 76.8
C 86.8
D 66.8
E 43.6
Explanation: C is the answer
If a dose of 1500 mg is given then based on the renal clearance (assume 100% is renally cleared) of 1.2
mg/dL then the volume is 1250 dl or 125000 ml ( 1 dL = 100 ml)
125000 ml in 24 hours so 125 000 ml/24 hr x 1 hr/60 m = 86.8 ml/min

63. A new antibiotic is given at a dose of 5 mg/kg by a single IV bolus infusion. The elimination half-life
is 2 hours and the apparent Vd is 0.28L/kg. What is the initial plasma drug concentration in mg per liter
in a patient who weights 75 kg?
A 36
B 1.8
C 17.9
D 1.79
E 19
Explanation: C is the answer
Cp = Initial dose/Vd = 5 mg/kg / 0.28 L/kg = 17.9 mg/L

64. From the above information, what is the plasma concentration in mg per liters at 8 hours after the
dose?
 A 15
B 111
C 11.1
D 2.64
E 1.11
Explanation: E is the answer.
The initial concentration is 17.9 mg/mL and the elimination T1/2 is 2 hours so after 8 hours (or 4 half
lives)
17.9 8.95  4.48  2.24  1.11

65. Based on the information above, how much drug in mg remains in the body after 8 hours?
A 23
B 46
C 12
E 94
Explanation: A is the answer
Given the patient is 75 kg and the dose is 5 mg/kg = the total dose taken by the person is 375 mg
So we need the drug remaining after 4 half-lives (or 8 hours)?
375 mg  187.5 93.75  46.88 23.44

66. If a drug with a half-life of 1 hour is metabolized 50%. What is the percentage of the blood
concentration after 4 hours?
A 50
B 25
C 12.5
E 6.25
Explanation: E is the answer
Drug concentration = 100%
T ½  the drug is decreased by ½ so it is 50% (assume T ½ is 1 hour)
We are looking for the concentration after 4 half-lives or 4 hours
100 50  25  12.5  6.25

67. A drug is given to a 70 kg man. The following are the parameters obtained after the dose is given:
therapeutic plasma concentration of 2 mg/L, T ½ of 80 min and Vd of 0.7 L/kg. What is the
recommended rate of infusion for the drug and what is the total body clearance for this patient?
A 8.5 mg/min and 0.43 L/min
B 0.85 mg/min and 0.43L/min
C 0.85 mg/min and 4.3 L/min
D 0.085 mg/min and 0.043 L/min
E 85 mg/min and 43 L/min

Explanation: B is the answer.

Rate of infusion = K x Vd x Css
K = 0.693/ T ½= 0.693/80 = 0.0087 min-
Vd = 0.7 L/kg x 70 kg = 49 L
R = 0.0087 min- x 49L x 2 mg/L = 0.85 mg/min

Total Clearance = K x Vd – 0.0087 min- x 49L = 0.43L/min

68. Based on the previous question, what is the loading dose in mg for this patient?
A 100
B 98
C 49
D 85
E 140

Explanation: B is the answer.

Loading dose = Vd x Css = 49 L x 2 = 98 mg

69. A patient brings a prescription for 16 Meq KCl. Your pharmacy has 600mg KCl (MW – 74.5)
controlled release tablets. How many tablets does the patient need?
A ½
B 2
C 4
D 1
E 5
Explanation: B is the answer
mEq = (mg x valence) / molecular weight
Each tablet contains 600 x 1 / 74.5 = 8.054 mEq
So the patient needs 16 Meq / 8 mEq/tab = 2 tablets

70. The package information for penicillin G 5 000 000 units specifies that when 23 ml of sterile water is
added to the dry powder, the resultant concentration is 200 000 units/ml. How many ml of sterile water
for injection should be used to prepare a solution containing penicillin G 500 000 units/mL
A 8
B 9.2
C 10
D 23
E 25
Explanation: A is the answer.
Vial contains 5,000,000 units of penicillin G

If the final concentration is 200 000 units/ml  then based on the amount of drug (5 000 000 U), the
volume is 25 mL. We added 23 mL of diluents to obtain this final concentration of 200 000 units/mL so
the drug powder volume is 2 mL. Drug powder occupies a volume of 2 ml

If you wanted to dilute to obtain a final concentration of 500 000 units/ml using a 5 000 000 unit vial
then the total volume would be 10 ml. Given that the dry powder volume is 2 ml then you need to only
add 8 ml of diluents to obtain the final concentration of 500 000 units/ml