Med Math Practice Quiz

11 – 26 Questions 10 min

This Med Math Practice Quiz focuses on paramedic medication calculations using the Master Formula, dimensional analysis, and drip rate formulas. You will work through realistic prehospital scenarios involving weight-based dosing, IV infusions, and volume calculations, useful for paramedics, advanced EMTs, nurses, and other clinicians who administer emergency medications.

Start Quiz Explore related quizzes

Part 1 — Questions

Answer each question on paper. Do not turn the page until you are ready to check your work.

1 liter of normal saline contains 1000 milliliters.

True
False

How many milligrams are in 0.5 grams?

50 mg
5000 mg
500 mg
5 mg

You have cefazolin 250 mg in 5 mL. The provider orders 500 mg IV. Using the master formula, how many milliliters will you draw up?

7.5 mL
10 mL
5 mL
15 mL

Which expression correctly represents the master formula commonly used in paramedic med math to calculate a dose to give?

Quantity ÷ Desired × Available
Desired × Available ÷ Quantity
Available ÷ Desired × Quantity
Desired ÷ Available × Quantity

A 176 lb adult (80 kg) requires 0.1 mg/kg of midazolam IV. The vial is labeled 1 mg/mL. How many milliliters should you administer?

4 mL
0.8 mL
10 mL
8 mL

For pediatric weight-based dosing, you should always round up to the nearest whole milliliter to avoid underdosing.

True
False

You are ordered to infuse 1000 mL of normal saline over 8 hours using a macrodrip set with a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. What drip rate in drops per minute should you set?

21 gtt/min
41 gtt/min
31 gtt/min
51 gtt/min

A provider orders 225 mg of ketorolac IM. The vial is labeled 75 mg/mL. How many milliliters should you draw up?

2.0 mL
3.0 mL
3.5 mL
2.5 mL

When using the master formula in paramedic med math, which of the following are common errors that can lead to a wrong dose? Select all that apply.

A.Converting concentrations so that all strengths use the same units before solving
B.Using the patient's weight in pounds directly instead of converting to kilograms
C.Ignoring a change in vial strength and reusing an old calculation
D.Checking whether the final answer is reasonable before giving the medication
E.Reversing the desired and available values in the formula

10.

You are preparing a weight-based vasopressor infusion using a protocol that specifies mcg/kg/min. Which steps are required to calculate the correct pump setting? Select all that apply.

A.Convert the patient's weight from pounds to kilograms if needed
B.Calculate the required mL per minute from the ordered dose and solution concentration
C.Convert the ordered dose from mcg/kg/min directly to units/kg/h
D.Skip unit conversions if you are using a smart pump
E.Determine the concentration of the bag in mcg/mL

11.

You are setting up a continuous medication infusion for a patient. Arrange the following actions in the correct order.

Put these in the correct order (write 1–5 beside each):

____Set the pump or drip chamber to the calculated rate
____Verify the medication order and patient identity
____Calculate the required infusion rate
____Prepare and label the medication bag
____Start the infusion and reassess the patient

12.

If you double the drug concentration in an IV bag but keep the same pump rate in mL/h, the patient will receive twice the drug dose per hour.

True
False

13.

A child weighs 18 kg and is ordered 0.15 mg/kg of a medication IV. The medication is supplied as 1 mg/mL. What volume should you administer?

2.7 mL
2.0 mL
3.5 mL
1.5 mL

14.

You are starting a dopamine infusion at 10 mcg/kg/min on an 80 kg patient. The bag is mixed 400 mg in 250 mL. What pump rate in mL/h will deliver the correct dose?

120 mL/h
30 mL/h
15 mL/h
60 mL/h

15.

You mix 400 mg of dopamine in 250 mL D5W. Your protocol allows 5 to 20 mcg/kg/min for a 70 kg patient. Which of the following pump settings in mL/h fall within the allowable dose range? Select all that apply.

A.15 mL/h
B.50 mL/h
C.60 mL/h
D.10 mL/h
E.30 mL/h

16.

A medication is supplied as 2 mg/mL. The order is for 7.5 mg IV. Using the master formula, how many milliliters should you draw up?

3.5 mL
3.75 mL
3.0 mL
2.5 mL

17.

You must give amiodarone 5 mg/kg IV over 30 minutes to a 90 kg patient. Vials contain 150 mg in 3 mL. How many milliliters of amiodarone solution are required?

6 mL
12 mL
7.5 mL
9 mL

18.

Your pediatric arrest protocol calls for epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IV using a 1:10,000 solution labeled 0.1 mg/mL. Which of the following weight-volume pairs show correctly calculated doses? Select all that apply.

A.15 kg child: 1 mL
B.8 kg child: 0.8 mL
C.10 kg child: 1 mL
D.25 kg child: 3 mL
E.20 kg child: 2 mL

19.

A 95 kg patient is ordered a heparin infusion at 18 units/kg/h. The bag from pharmacy is labeled 25,000 units in 250 mL normal saline. What pump rate in mL/h will deliver the ordered dose?

25 mL/h
9 mL/h
40 mL/h
17 mL/h

Part 2 — Answer key

Compare your answers after you have finished Part 1.

1 liter of normal saline contains 1000 milliliters.
True
How many milligrams are in 0.5 grams?
500 mg
You have cefazolin 250 mg in 5 mL. The provider orders 500 mg IV. Using the master formula, how many milliliters will you draw up?
10 mL
Which expression correctly represents the master formula commonly used in paramedic med math to calculate a dose to give?
Desired ÷ Available × Quantity
A 176 lb adult (80 kg) requires 0.1 mg/kg of midazolam IV. The vial is labeled 1 mg/mL. How many milliliters should you administer?
10 mL
For pediatric weight-based dosing, you should always round up to the nearest whole milliliter to avoid underdosing.
False
You are ordered to infuse 1000 mL of normal saline over 8 hours using a macrodrip set with a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. What drip rate in drops per minute should you set?
31 gtt/min
A provider orders 225 mg of ketorolac IM. The vial is labeled 75 mg/mL. How many milliliters should you draw up?
3.0 mL
When using the master formula in paramedic med math, which of the following are common errors that can lead to a wrong dose? Select all that apply.
Using the patient's weight in pounds directly instead of converting to kilograms; Ignoring a change in vial strength and reusing an old calculation; Reversing the desired and available values in the formula
You are preparing a weight-based vasopressor infusion using a protocol that specifies mcg/kg/min. Which steps are required to calculate the correct pump setting? Select all that apply.
Convert the patient's weight from pounds to kilograms if needed; Calculate the required mL per minute from the ordered dose and solution concentration; Determine the concentration of the bag in mcg/mL
You are setting up a continuous medication infusion for a patient. Arrange the following actions in the correct order.
Correct order: Verify the medication order and patient identity → Calculate the required infusion rate → Prepare and label the medication bag → Set the pump or drip chamber to the calculated rate → Start the infusion and reassess the patient
If you double the drug concentration in an IV bag but keep the same pump rate in mL/h, the patient will receive twice the drug dose per hour.
True
A child weighs 18 kg and is ordered 0.15 mg/kg of a medication IV. The medication is supplied as 1 mg/mL. What volume should you administer?
2.7 mL
You are starting a dopamine infusion at 10 mcg/kg/min on an 80 kg patient. The bag is mixed 400 mg in 250 mL. What pump rate in mL/h will deliver the correct dose?
30 mL/h
You mix 400 mg of dopamine in 250 mL D5W. Your protocol allows 5 to 20 mcg/kg/min for a 70 kg patient. Which of the following pump settings in mL/h fall within the allowable dose range? Select all that apply.
15 mL/h; 50 mL/h; 30 mL/h
A medication is supplied as 2 mg/mL. The order is for 7.5 mg IV. Using the master formula, how many milliliters should you draw up?
3.75 mL
You must give amiodarone 5 mg/kg IV over 30 minutes to a 90 kg patient. Vials contain 150 mg in 3 mL. How many milliliters of amiodarone solution are required?
9 mL
Your pediatric arrest protocol calls for epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IV using a 1:10,000 solution labeled 0.1 mg/mL. Which of the following weight-volume pairs show correctly calculated doses? Select all that apply.
8 kg child: 0.8 mL; 10 kg child: 1 mL; 20 kg child: 2 mL
A 95 kg patient is ordered a heparin infusion at 18 units/kg/h. The bag from pharmacy is labeled 25,000 units in 250 mL normal saline. What pump rate in mL/h will deliver the ordered dose?
17 mL/h

11 liter of normal saline contains 1000 milliliters.

True / False

2How many milligrams are in 0.5 grams?

3You have cefazolin 250 mg in 5 mL. The provider orders 500 mg IV. Using the master formula, how many milliliters will you draw up?

4Which expression correctly represents the master formula commonly used in paramedic med math to calculate a dose to give?

5A 176 lb adult (80 kg) requires 0.1 mg/kg of midazolam IV. The vial is labeled 1 mg/mL. How many milliliters should you administer?

6For pediatric weight-based dosing, you should always round up to the nearest whole milliliter to avoid underdosing.

True / False

7You are ordered to infuse 1000 mL of normal saline over 8 hours using a macrodrip set with a drop factor of 15 gtt/mL. What drip rate in drops per minute should you set?

8A provider orders 225 mg of ketorolac IM. The vial is labeled 75 mg/mL. How many milliliters should you draw up?

9When using the master formula in paramedic med math, which of the following are common errors that can lead to a wrong dose? Select all that apply.

Select all that apply

10You are preparing a weight-based vasopressor infusion using a protocol that specifies mcg/kg/min. Which steps are required to calculate the correct pump setting? Select all that apply.

Select all that apply

11You are setting up a continuous medication infusion for a patient. Arrange the following actions in the correct order.

Put in order

1Set the pump or drip chamber to the calculated rate

2Verify the medication order and patient identity

3Calculate the required infusion rate

4Prepare and label the medication bag

5Start the infusion and reassess the patient

12If you double the drug concentration in an IV bag but keep the same pump rate in mL/h, the patient will receive twice the drug dose per hour.

True / False

13A child weighs 18 kg and is ordered 0.15 mg/kg of a medication IV. The medication is supplied as 1 mg/mL. What volume should you administer?

14You are starting a dopamine infusion at 10 mcg/kg/min on an 80 kg patient. The bag is mixed 400 mg in 250 mL. What pump rate in mL/h will deliver the correct dose?

15You mix 400 mg of dopamine in 250 mL D5W. Your protocol allows 5 to 20 mcg/kg/min for a 70 kg patient. Which of the following pump settings in mL/h fall within the allowable dose range? Select all that apply.

Select all that apply

16A medication is supplied as 2 mg/mL. The order is for 7.5 mg IV. Using the master formula, how many milliliters should you draw up?

17You must give amiodarone 5 mg/kg IV over 30 minutes to a 90 kg patient. Vials contain 150 mg in 3 mL. How many milliliters of amiodarone solution are required?

18Your pediatric arrest protocol calls for epinephrine 0.01 mg/kg IV using a 1:10,000 solution labeled 0.1 mg/mL. Which of the following weight-volume pairs show correctly calculated doses? Select all that apply.

Select all that apply

19A 95 kg patient is ordered a heparin infusion at 18 units/kg/h. The bag from pharmacy is labeled 25,000 units in 250 mL normal saline. What pump rate in mL/h will deliver the ordered dose?

Frequent Errors in Paramedic Med Math Practice

Typical Med Math Missteps and How to Avoid Them

Paramedic med math mistakes usually come from small process gaps rather than hard concepts. Focus on method and checking steps to prevent dose errors.

Skipping unit conversions
Many learners forget to convert pounds to kilograms, or milligrams to grams before using the Master Formula. Write the conversion first, for example 180 lb ÷ 2.2 = 81.8 kg, then plug that value into the dose formula.
Ignoring the stock concentration
Some calculations use the ordered dose directly without relating it to the vial strength, such as 4 mg in 1 mL. Always set up the full Master Formula, including dose on hand and volume on hand, so the fraction cancels correctly.
Decimal placement errors
Misplaced decimals turn a safe dose into a large overdose. Say the answer out loud with units and ask if it is reasonable for that drug and patient size. Compare with typical adult ranges if you know them.
Wrong drip set or formula
Learners mix up microdrip and macrodrip sets, or confuse mL per hour with gtt per minute. Write the goal first, for example "gtt/min", then build the dimensional analysis so that all other units cancel.
Rounding too early
Rounding at each step can distort the final answer. Keep at least two decimals through the math. Round once at the end to a dose or drip rate that is realistic to draw up or set on a pump.
Not labeling each number
Dropping units leads to mixed numbers from the order, vial, and patient weight. Write every value with its unit beside it. Cross out units as they cancel so you finish with only the unit you want.

Paramedic Med Math Quick Reference Formulas

How to Use This Med Math Reference

This sheet summarizes key paramedic med math formulas and steps. You can print or save this section as a PDF for quick field review.

Core Master Formula

Master Formula: (Desired dose ÷ Dose on hand) × Volume on hand = Volume to administer

Desired dose: Dose ordered for the patient, for example 4 mg.
Dose on hand: Strength of the drug you have, for example 2 mg.
Volume on hand: Liquid that contains the dose on hand, for example 1 mL.

Example pattern: (4 mg ÷ 2 mg) × 1 mL = 2 mL to give.

Weight Based Dose Steps

Convert weight: lb ÷ 2.2 = kg, if needed.
Calculate ordered dose: dose per kg × kg = total mg ordered.
Use the Master Formula to convert mg ordered to mL to give.

IV Drip Rate Formulas

mL per hour (pump): Volume to infuse (mL) ÷ Time (hr) = mL/hr

Manual gtt per minute: (Volume (mL) × Drop factor (gtt/mL)) ÷ Time (min) = gtt/min

Common drop factors:

Microdrip: 60 gtt/mL
Macrodrip: 10, 15, or 20 gtt/mL, depending on set

Concentration and Dilution

Concentration: Drug amount ÷ Volume. Example, 100 mg in 50 mL = 2 mg/mL.
New concentration after dilution: Same drug amount in larger volume. Drug amount stays constant.

Quick Safety Checks

Write units for every step.
Compare the final dose with usual adult or pediatric ranges, if known.
Ask if the mL or gtt/min is practical to draw up or set on equipment.

Step-by-Step Paramedic Med Math Question Walkthroughs

Example 1: Weight Based IV Push Dose

Scenario: You must give 0.1 mg/kg of a medication IV to a 70 kg adult. The vial is labeled 2 mg in 1 mL. How many mL will you give?

Find total dose needed.
0.1 mg/kg × 70 kg = 7 mg ordered.
Identify stock information.
Dose on hand = 2 mg. Volume on hand = 1 mL.
Apply the Master Formula.
(Desired dose ÷ Dose on hand) × Volume on hand = Volume to give.

(7 mg ÷ 2 mg) × 1 mL = 3.5 mL.
Check reasonableness.
3.5 mL is a small, practical IV push volume. Units cancel to mL. Answer = 3.5 mL.

Example 2: IV Infusion Drip Rate

Scenario: You must infuse 500 mL of normal saline over 4 hours with a 15 gtt/mL macrodrip set. What is the drip rate in gtt per minute?

Convert time to minutes.
4 hr × 60 min/hr = 240 min.
Use drip rate formula.
(Volume (mL) × Drop factor (gtt/mL)) ÷ Time (min) = gtt/min.

(500 mL × 15 gtt/mL) ÷ 240 min.
Do the math.
500 × 15 = 7500 gtt. 7500 ÷ 240 ≈ 31.25 gtt/min.
Round to a practical rate.
You cannot count quarter drops. Round to 31 gtt/min. Some services may round to 30 gtt/min for easier counting. Follow local policy.
Final answer.
Set the drip to about 31 gtt/min and monitor the IV closely.

Med Math Practice Quiz and Paramedic Master Formula FAQ

Common Questions About This Med Math Practice

How does this quiz help with paramedic Master Formula skills?

The quiz presents medication orders in the same format used in prehospital care, then requires you to convert the order using the Master Formula. You practice linking ordered dose, stock concentration, and volume on hand, which builds a repeatable pattern for real calls.

What specific med math topics are covered?

You will see problems on weight based dosing, standard adult bolus doses, medication dilutions, IV pump rates in mL per hour, manual drip rates in gtt per minute, and basic concentration calculations in mg per mL. Some questions combine several steps in a single scenario.

Should I use a calculator during med math practice questions?

Most field providers use a simple calculator for high stake calculations. During practice, try each question in your head or on paper first. Then verify with a calculator. This builds number sense while still reflecting real clinical behavior.

How can I reduce decimal and rounding mistakes?

Keep units with every number and avoid rounding until the final step. After you get a result, say it out loud with units, such as 3.5 mL or 28 gtt/min. Ask if that value seems reasonable for the drug, route, and patient size.

How often should paramedics review med math questions?

Frequent short sessions work better than rare long review blocks. Run the quick mode with 11 questions during short breaks. Use the standard mode with 19 questions or the full mode with 26 questions for deeper refreshers before shifts or recertification exams.