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Qatar DHP Pharmacology & Dosage Calculations Practice Questions
Pharmacology is one of the largest parts of every Gulf nursing exam. Expect high-alert drugs, antidotes, side effects to report and dosage calculations. Below are 5 free sample questions for the Qatar DHP (QCHP) nursing qualifying exam, each with the answer and a rationale.
What this topic covers
- Dosage and IV drip-rate calculations
- Anticoagulants and their antidotes
- Insulin and oral hypoglycaemics
- Digoxin, diuretics and potassium
- Opioids, naloxone and paracetamol toxicity
- Antibiotics, lithium and high-alert medicines
The full bank has 150 pharmacology & dosage calculations questions, part of 1,500 questions across 16 nursing topics.
Free Qatar DHP pharmacology & dosage calculations questions
1. Which type of insulin can be given intravenously?
- A. Regular (soluble) insulin
- B. Insulin glargine
- C. NPH (isophane) insulin
- D. Premixed 30/70 insulin
Show answer and rationale
Regular soluble insulin is clear and can be given IV, for example in infusions for diabetic ketoacidosis. Intermediate, long-acting and premixed insulins are for subcutaneous use only.
Reference: Standard nursing pharmacology – insulin
2. A child weighs 44 lb. A medication is prescribed at 5 mg/kg. What dose should be given?
- A. 50 mg
- B. 88 mg
- C. 100 mg
- D. 220 mg
Show answer and rationale
Convert pounds to kilograms first: 44 lb ÷ 2.2 = 20 kg. Dose = 5 mg/kg × 20 kg = 100 mg. Using pounds directly gives the incorrect 220 mg.
Reference: Standard dosage calculation – unit conversion
3. An infusion contains 1 g of a drug in 250 mL and is running at 50 mL/h. How many milligrams per hour is the patient receiving?
- A. 50 mg/h
- B. 200 mg/h
- C. 250 mg/h
- D. 20 mg/h
Show answer and rationale
Concentration = 1000 mg ÷ 250 mL = 4 mg/mL. Dose = 50 mL/h × 4 mg/mL = 200 mg/h.
Reference: Standard nursing calculations – infusion dose from rate
4. A patient with a deep vein thrombosis is started on warfarin while continuing enoxaparin. The patient asks why both are needed. What is the best explanation?
- A. The two drugs must always be taken together for life
- B. Warfarin takes several days to reach its full anticoagulant effect
- C. Enoxaparin increases the absorption of warfarin
- D. Enoxaparin prevents the side effects of warfarin
Show answer and rationale
Warfarin's effect depends on depletion of existing clotting factors, which takes several days, so a parenteral anticoagulant is overlapped until the INR is therapeutic.
Reference: Standard nursing pharmacology – warfarin
5. A patient taking warfarin for atrial fibrillation has an INR of 5.2 and no signs of bleeding. The evening dose is due. What should the nurse do first?
- A. Give the dose as prescribed
- B. Withhold the dose and notify the prescriber
- C. Give protamine sulfate
- D. Give half the usual dose
Show answer and rationale
An INR well above the therapeutic range increases bleeding risk, so the warfarin should be withheld and the prescriber informed for further management. Protamine reverses heparin, not warfarin.
Reference: Standard nursing pharmacology – warfarin monitoring
Study tip
Practise calculations until they are automatic. Write the formula down and check the answer is sensible before you choose.
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