Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital
Medication Administration Exam Information
&
Study Packet for Nursing Candidates
Thank you for your interest in employment at Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital. We look forward to having
you as a member of the health care team. As part of the application process, all registered nurses and
licensed practical nurses must successfully complete a written Medication Knowledge Assessment prior to
employment. The exam will be scheduled by the Staff Development Office and upon successful completion
you will be referred to Human Resource for additional processing; please be prepared to spend 3 to 4 hours at
the facility.
Exam Details/ Frequently asked questions & answers:
Why is it required?
The exam emphasizes essential, basic knowledge used in daily nursing practice and is used in determining
basic proficiency in medication administration.
What type of test is given?
The exam is from Center for Nursing Education and Testing (C-NET) which is comprised of 50 multiple choice
questions and 10 calculations. Test questions are comprised of basic principles for administration and
common effects of frequently administered medications. This is a paper and pencil exam and 1 hour is given
for completion.
What is a passing score?
There are two scores associated with this exam: 80% required for the multiple choice section and 100% on
the calculations.
What if a passing score is not achieved?
If a passing score is not obtained with the initial exam candidates will be allowed 5 business days for studying
and an opportunity to retake a similar exam. If a passing score is not achieved with the second exam, the offer
of employment will be rescinded.
What materials should be reviewed?
Attached you will find a study guide to help prepare for the exam. This is a general medication exam taken by
all nurses regardless of specialty area or years of practice. Sample questions and calculation formulas are
provided as well as drug classifications.
What do I need to bring with me?
You may use a calculator but may not bring a cell phone to the testing area.
Where do I go to take the test?
Location and directions will be provided when your test is scheduled.
The Human Resource and Staff Development team members look forward to assisting you throughout your
endeavors with Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital.
COMMON CONVERSIONS
1 lb
1 kg
1 gr
1mg
1mcg
1 oz
1 gm
0.05 gm
0.03 gm
0.015 gm
0.001 gm
1ml
Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital
Medication Administration Exam Information
&
Study Packet for Nursing Candidates
= .454 kg
= 2.2 lbs
= 64.8 mg
= 1000 mcg
= 1000 ng
= 28.4 gms
= 1000 mg
= 50 mg
= 30 mg
= 15 mg
= 1 mg
= 1 cc
= 454 gm
= 1000 gms
= 60 mg
= 30 ml
= 15 gr
= ¾ gr
= ½ gr
= ¼ gr
= 1/80 gr
= 15 gtts
= 16 oz
= 0.0022 lbs
METRIC CONVERSION
Mega – Kilo – Hecto – Deka – Unit (gram, liter, meter, second) – Deci – Centi – Milli – Micro
(Convert from one metric unit to another by moving decimal place to left or right)
Ex. Change 1 gram to mg = 1000 mg
Change 1 gram to dekagram = 0.1dg
FORMULAS
•
Desired Dose X
Dose on Hand
Tablet, liquid, etc = Amount to give
Ex: Order Dilantin 50 mg po id
Available: Dilantin 125 mg/5 ml
50/125 x 5 ml = 250/125 = 2 ml
•
Dosage Conversion (mg to ml)
Mg available X
In ml available
mg wanted =Amount to be given
?ml
Ex. Order Compazine 8 mg IM Stat
Available 10 mg/2ml in vial
10mg/2 ml x 8mg/?ml
•
Ratio and Proportion:
What is known (what is available) = what is desired
Ex: Order Phenobarbital 100 mg elixir po every day
What is available: Phenobarbital 20 mg/5 ml
20 mg/5ml = 100 mg/?ml
Cross multiply 20 mg x ?ml = 5 ml x 100 mg
20x = 500
Divide both sides by 20 20x/20 = 500/20
X = 500/20 = 25 ml
•
Body Weight
- 1st convert pounds to kilograms
- Drug dose x body weight x frequency (day or per day in divided doses)
- Then formula for dose to be given
Ex. Order A child is to receive Penicillin IV 50,000 units/kg/day. The child weighs 70 lbs
Available: A powder in 2,000,000 unit vials. The med is reconstituted by adding diluents
To yield 2 ml of solution. How many ml should the child receive per day.
70 lbs = 32 kg (70/2.2 = 32)
50,000 units x 32 kg = 1,600,000 units per day
2,000,000/2ml = 1,600,000/?ml
2,000,000 x ? = 1,600,000 x 2
2,000,000 ? + 3,200,000
3,200,000/2,000,000
X = 1.6 ml per day
•
Ex. Order Heparin 5000 units in d5w ml at 0.15 units/kg/min. Patient weighs 70 kg.
The concentration of solution is 20 units/ml
Find units per minute
Find units per hour
Find ml/min
Find ml/hr
70 kg x 0.15 units = 10.5 units/min
10.5 units/minute x 60 minutes/hour = 630 units/hour
10.5 units/min = 0.5ml/min
20 units/ml
0.5 ml/min x 60 min/hour = 30 ml/hour
•
IV Flow Rates
IV solution to infuse over a given number of hours
Amount of solution divided by number of hours to infuse = number of ml/hr
ml/hr dived by 60 minutes/hr = number of ml/min
ml/min x drop factor = number of drips/min
800 ml of IV D5W to infuse over 10 hours (drip factor of 14)
800/10 = 80ml/hr
80ml per hr/60min=1.3 ml/min
1.3ml per min x 14(drip factor) = 18.6 drops per minute
Alternate Method
IV solution to be infused divided by number of hours to infuse = ml/hr
ml/hr x drip factor divided by 60 = number of drops/min (drip factor of 14)
800ml of D5W to infuse over 10 hours
800/10= 80ml/hr
80ml/hr x 14 divided by 60 = 18.6 drops per minute
Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital
Be prepared for any or all of the medications listed below to be incorporated into questions on the medication
test.
Be prepared to recognize general drug classes along with indications for use and associated side effects as well
as any nursing considerations, patient safety issues or patient education opportunities.
Be aware of special lab values for which to monitor, contraindications of use, or compatibility concerns.
Be prepared to perform drug calculations which may require measurement conversions and IV drip rates.
Refer to the following pages for additional study materials.
Review proper techniques and nursing considerations for route of administering medications: oral, rectal, and
vaginal as well as use of eye and ear drops and nasal sprays/ointments; IM, IV, PO, and SubQ.
Antibiotics
Cipro
Vancomycin
Cardiac
Antihypertensive Agents/Beta Blockers
Atenolol
Lopressor
Inderal
Anti-coagulants
Heparin
Lovenox
Coumadin
Insulins
Anticholingerics
Pro-Banthine
NSAIDS
Anti-convulsants
Dilantin
AntiFungal Agents
AntiHistamines
Antiviral
AZT
DDC
Benzodoiazepines
Versed
Valium
Miscellaneous : Azmacort, Epogen, Lithium, Steroids, Synthroid
Adenosine
Atropine
Bretylol
Cardizem
Dobutrex
Dopamine
Verapimil
Regular
Humalin N
NPH
Ibuprofen
Naprosyn
Oncology
Cytarabine
Lupron
Tamoxifen
Opiods
Morphine