NCP Nurse Competency Prep practice questions and answers 2026. Tap an option to test yourself — you'll see the correct answer and a plain-English explanation for every question. Free, no login.
Q11A patient weighs 176 pounds. The medication order is for 5 mg/kg. What is the correct total dose in mg?
✓ Correct answer: B. 400 mg
First convert pounds to kg: 176 lb / 2.2 = 80 kg. Then calculate dose: 80 kg × 5 mg/kg = 400 mg.
Q12An order reads: Give potassium chloride 30 mEq PO. Available: 20 mEq per 15 mL. How many mL should be administered?
✓ Correct answer: A. 22.5 mL
Using ratio-proportion: 20 mEq : 15 mL = 30 mEq : X mL. Cross multiply: 20X = 450. X = 450 / 20 = 22.5 mL.
Q13Regular insulin is ordered at 8 units/hr via infusion pump. The IV bag contains 100 units in 100 mL of 0.9% NS. What is the infusion rate in mL/hr?
✓ Correct answer: D. 8 mL/hr
The concentration is 100 units in 100 mL = 1 unit/mL. To deliver 8 units/hr: 8 units / 1 unit per mL = 8 mL/hr.
Q14Convert 2.5 liters to milliliters.
✓ Correct answer: C. 2500 mL
To convert liters to milliliters, multiply by 1000. Therefore, 2.5 L × 1000 = 2500 mL.
Q15A child weighing 15 kg is prescribed phenytoin 5 mg/kg/day in two divided doses. What is the amount per dose in mg?
✓ Correct answer: B. 37.5 mg
Calculate total daily dose: 15 kg × 5 mg/kg = 75 mg/day. Divide by 2 doses: 75 mg / 2 = 37.5 mg per dose.
Q16A medication label reads 250 mcg per tablet. The order is for 0.5 mg. How many tablets should be given?
✓ Correct answer: A. 2 tablets
First convert 0.5 mg to mcg: 0.5 mg × 1000 = 500 mcg. Then: 500 mcg / 250 mcg per tablet = 2 tablets.
Q17An IV infusion of 1500 mL is ordered to run at 100 mL/hr. How many hours will it take to infuse completely?
✓ Correct answer: D. 15 hours
Total volume (1500 mL) divided by infusion rate (100 mL/hr) = 1500 / 100 = 15 hours.
Q18A patient is to receive vancomycin 1 gram in 250 mL over 90 minutes. What is the infusion rate in mL/hr?
✓ Correct answer: C. 167 mL/hr
Convert 90 minutes to hours: 90 / 60 = 1.5 hours. Then calculate rate: 250 mL / 1.5 hr = 166.7 mL/hr, rounded to 167 mL/hr.
Q19An order reads: Administer ondansetron 0.15 mg/kg IV. The patient weighs 132 pounds. What is the correct dose in mg?
✓ Correct answer: B. 9 mg
Convert weight to kg: 132 lb / 2.2 = 60 kg. Calculate dose: 60 kg × 0.15 mg/kg = 9 mg.
Q20A patient is receiving dopamine at 12 mL/hr. The IV bag contains 400 mg in 250 mL D5W. How many mcg/min is the patient receiving?
✓ Correct answer: A. 320 mcg/min
First find mg/hr: (400 mg / 250 mL) × 12 mL/hr = 19.2 mg/hr. Convert to mcg/min: (19.2 mg × 1000 mcg/mg) / 60 min = 19,200 / 60 = 320 mcg/min.
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