TEAS math practice questions

Answer: C. To convert kilograms to pounds, multiply by 2.2: 70 kg x 2.2 = 154 lb. One hundred forty pounds would result from multiplying by 2.0 instead of 2.2, an inaccurate conversion factor. Seventy-seven pounds is roughly half of the correct value and reflects a calculation error. Thirty-two pounds would actually be an approximate conversion of kilograms in the reverse direction. Since many medication doses are calculated using kilograms, accurate kg-to-lb conversion is essential in nursing practice.

Checked against: OpenStax Clinical Nursing Skills, 15.1; OpenStax Pharmacology for Nurses, 40.4

Answer: D. In a proportion, cross-multiply to solve: 8 times x equals 5 times 24, so 8x = 120, and x = 15. Twelve does not satisfy the cross-multiplication equation. Nineteen point two results from dividing incorrectly rather than cross-multiplying properly. Thirty would result from multiplying 5 by 24 and forgetting to divide by 8. Proportions are used often in dosage calculations, so cross-multiplication must be applied correctly.

Checked against: OpenStax Pharmacology for Nurses, 2.4; OpenStax Clinical Nursing Skills, 11.2

Answer: C. Estimation by rounding helps a nurse quickly judge whether an exact answer is reasonable; since typical doses are around 100 mg, an answer of 1010 mg is far outside the expected range and signals a likely calculation or decimal-point error. Administering the dose as calculated without questioning it could cause a serious tenfold overdose. Arbitrarily rounding down to 100 mg without verifying the original calculation is not a safe practice, since the correct dose may differ. Giving half the calculated dose is also not a substitute for identifying and correcting the actual math error. Nurses must always verify calculations that produce clinically implausible results before administering medications.

Checked against: OpenStax Clinical Nursing Skills, 11.2; OpenStax Pharmacology for Nurses, 2.4

Answer: A. A unit rate is a ratio with a denominator of 1, so dividing 1000 mL by 8 hours gives 125 mL/hr, the amount to infuse each hour. One hundred mL/hr would under-infuse the total volume before the 8 hours are up, delivering only 800 mL total. Eight mL/hr is far too slow and reflects dividing the numbers backward (hours by volume). One thousand mL/hr would deliver the entire bag in just 1 hour, causing a dangerous fluid overload. Calculating correct unit rates is essential for setting safe and accurate IV pump rates.

Checked against: OpenStax Clinical Nursing Skills, 13.3

Answer: B. Using the formula F = C x 9/5 + 32: 38.4 x 9/5 = 69.12, and 69.12 + 32 = 101.12, which rounds to 101.1 F. 98.6 F is normal body temperature (37 C), not the converted value of this febrile temperature. 100.4 F corresponds to a Celsius value of about 38.0 C, not 38.4 C. 104.0 F corresponds to about 40 C, which is much higher than the given value. Correct Fahrenheit-Celsius conversion ensures accurate communication of vital sign findings.

Checked against: OpenStax Clinical Nursing Skills, 15.4; OpenStax Clinical Nursing Skills, 15.3

Answer: A, B, C, E. Kilo correctly means 1000 times the base unit, and milli means 1/1000 of the base unit, both of which are true. Centi means 1/100 of the base unit, which is also correct. One gram does equal 1000 milligrams, consistent with the milli prefix. However, micro actually means 1/1,000,000 of the base unit, not 1/1000, so that statement is false. One kilogram equals 1000 grams, not 100 grams, making that final statement incorrect as well. Understanding these prefixes accurately is critical because a misplaced decimal in dosing can result in a serious medication error.

Checked against: OpenStax Pharmacology for Nurses, 2.4; OpenStax Pharmacology for Nurses, 40.4

Answer: A. Since 1 tablespoon equals 15 mL, 2 tablespoons equals 2 x 15 = 30 mL. Fifteen milliliters is the equivalent of only 1 tablespoon, not 2. Ten milliliters would be closer to 2 teaspoons rather than 2 tablespoons. Sixty milliliters would be the equivalent of 4 tablespoons, double the ordered amount, which could result in a medication overdose if given in error. Knowing household-to-metric volume conversions helps prevent dosing errors when metric measuring devices are not available.

Checked against: OpenStax Clinical Nursing Skills, 11.2