Preparing for the Drug Dosage Calculation Competency Exam
BSN Completion Applicants
The Drug Dosage Calculation Competency Exam is required for all BSN Completion applicants. Two
opportunities to test are allowed. The exam is administered by UVICELL between October 15th and
November 15th.
Test Center Locations:
St. Croix St. Thomas:
UVICELL Center UVICELL Center
#23A Hospital Street Faculty East
Frederiksted, St. Croix St. Thomas Campus
(340) 692-4230 (340) 693-1100
Applicants should review a drug dosage calculation textbook, brush up on calculation skills and be
ready to demonstrate competency in calculating drug dosages. A score of 90% or better is required in
order to pass the exam and two testing opportunities are permitted. Applicants who score less than
90% must take, and pass, NUR 104: Drug Dosage Calculation concurrently with NUR 210: Bridge to
Professional Nursing, even if they have taken this, or a similar course, previously.
The following table contains the test blueprint for the exam.
Topic
Questions
Conversions: metric, apothecary, household
conversions: ounces; pounds; teaspoons;
tablespoons, cups
5 conversion questions worth 1 point each
Oral med tab or cap (with label)
1
Oral med mLs (with label)
1
Parenteral (with label)
3 (mg/mL and units/mL or mEq/mL)
Syringes
5 different syringe questions worth 1 point each;
should include TB, insulin (2 types of insulin in one
syringe), 3mL, 5 mL and one other
Powdered med with single way to reconstitute
(with label)
2
IV flow rate (mL/hr)
1
IV flow rate (gtt/min)
1
IVBP flow rate (could be mL/hr or gtt/min)
1
Infusion time
1
Completion time (using military time)
1
Dosage by weight (with label)
2
Continuous IV med (flow rate or medication
delivered)
2
Direct IV (IV push) (with label if possible)
2
Total
20
Recommended text:
Olsen, J., Giangrasso, A. & Shrimpton, D. (2015). Medical dosage calculations: A dimensional
analysis approach. Boston, MA: Pearson
