NMC CBT Numeracy Test 2
Challenge your math skills with the NMC CBT Numeracy Test 2. This advanced revision paper brings you a fresh set of scenarios, including complex IV infusion rates, weight-based calculations, and multi-step medication dosages to ensure you are fully prepared.
Part A: Numeracy & Drug Calculations
A palliative care patient requires a continuous subcutaneous infusion of Haloperidol and Midazolam. The total volume of the medications and the normal saline diluent in the syringe is 24 ml. The syringe driver is set to deliver this entire volume over 48 hours. What is the correct continuous delivery rate in ml/hr?
Numeracy Study Guide & Formulas
Review all the drug calculation questions from this mock test. Understanding the formulas and step-by-step rationales is key to passing Part A of your NMC CBT exam.
1.A palliative care patient requires a continuous subcutaneous infusion of Haloperidol and Midazolam. The total volume of the medications and the normal saline diluent in the syringe is 24 ml. The syringe driver is set to deliver this entire volume over 48 hours. What is the correct continuous delivery rate in ml/hr?▼
✅ Correct Answer
0.5 ml/hr
💡 Calculation Steps / Rationale
To determine the hourly rate for the syringe driver, divide the total volume by the total time in hours. 24 ml / 48 hours = 0.5 ml/hr.
2.A critically ill patient weighing 70 kg is prescribed a continuous intravenous infusion of Dobutamine at a rate of 5 micrograms/kg/minute. The prepared syringe contains 250 mg of Dobutamine in a total volume of 50 ml. What rate should the infusion pump be set to in ml/hr?▼
✅ Correct Answer
4.2 ml/hr
💡 Calculation Steps / Rationale
Step 1: Calculate the total micrograms per minute (5 mcg x 70 kg = 350 mcg/min). Step 2: Convert to micrograms per hour (350 mcg x 60 mins = 21,000 mcg/hr). Step 3: Convert to milligrams (21,000 mcg / 1,000 = 21 mg/hr). Step 4: Determine the concentration of the syringe (250 mg / 50 ml = 5 mg/ml). Step 5: Calculate the final volume rate (21 mg/hr divided by 5 mg/ml = 4.2 ml/hr).
3.A child weighing 22 kg is admitted to the emergency department in shock. The clinical protocol dictates an immediate rapid fluid bolus of 20 ml/kg of 0.9% Sodium Chloride. What is the total volume of fluid that should be administered?▼
✅ Correct Answer
440 ml
💡 Calculation Steps / Rationale
Multiply the child's body weight by the prescribed fluid volume per kilogram. 22 kg x 20 ml/kg = 440 ml.
4.An infant requires 120 ml of maintenance IV fluid to be infused over 4 hours. The paediatric microdrip giving set delivers 60 drops per ml. What is the correct drip rate in drops per minute?▼
✅ Correct Answer
30 drops/min
💡 Calculation Steps / Rationale
Formula: (Total volume in ml x Drop factor) / Total time in minutes. First, convert 4 hours to minutes (4 x 60 = 240 mins). Then: (120 ml x 60 drops/ml) / 240 mins = 7200 / 240 = 30 drops/min. (Note: When using a 60 drops/ml microdrip, the drops/min rate is always mathematically equal to the ml/hr rate: 120/4 = 30).
5.A patient with hypothyroidism is prescribed 0.125 mg of oral Levothyroxine daily. The pharmacy supplies tablets that each contain 25 micrograms. How many tablets should the patient take for their daily dose?▼
✅ Correct Answer
5 tablets
💡 Calculation Steps / Rationale
First, convert the prescribed dose from milligrams (mg) to micrograms (mcg) by multiplying by 1000. 0.125 mg x 1000 = 125 mcg. Then use the formula: Dose required / Dose available. 125 mcg / 25 mcg = 5 tablets.
6.A patient is prescribed 1.2 grams of oral Co-amoxiclav suspension for a severe infection. The stock available on the ward contains 400 mg in every 5 ml. How many milliliters (ml) should you administer?▼
✅ Correct Answer
15 ml
💡 Calculation Steps / Rationale
First, convert the prescribed dose from grams to milligrams. 1.2 grams = 1200 mg. Next, use the formula: (What you want / What you have) x Volume. (1200 mg / 400 mg) x 5 ml = 3 x 5 ml = 15 ml.
7.A patient with Diabetic Ketoacidosis weighing 85 kg requires an intravenous Actrapid insulin infusion. The protocol dictates a fixed rate of 0.1 units/kg/hr. The prepared syringe contains 50 units of Actrapid in 50 ml of 0.9% Sodium Chloride. What rate should the pump be set to in ml/hr?▼
✅ Correct Answer
8.5 ml/hr
💡 Calculation Steps / Rationale
Step 1: Calculate the total units required per hour (0.1 units/kg/hr x 85 kg = 8.5 units/hr). Step 2: Determine the concentration of the syringe (50 units / 50 ml = 1 unit per 1 ml). Step 3: Since the concentration is a 1:1 ratio, 8.5 units per hour equates exactly to 8.5 ml/hr.
8.Calculate a patient's net fluid balance at the end of a 12-hour shift. Input: Enteral tube feed running at 50 ml/hr for the entire 12 hours, two IV antibiotic infusions of 100 ml each, and a 200 ml water flush via the feeding tube. Output: Urine 850 ml, wound drain 120 ml, stoma output 350 ml.▼
✅ Correct Answer
- 320 ml
💡 Calculation Steps / Rationale
Total Input = (50 ml/hr x 12 hrs) + (2 x 100 ml) + 200 ml = 600 + 200 + 200 = 1000 ml total input. Total Output = 850 ml + 120 ml + 350 ml = 1320 ml total output. Net Balance = Input - Output = 1000 ml - 1320 ml = -320 ml (a negative fluid balance).
9.During a pre-operative assessment, a patient's weight is recorded as 81 kg and their height is 1.8 meters. Calculate their Body Mass Index (BMI).▼
✅ Correct Answer
25
💡 Calculation Steps / Rationale
BMI is calculated as weight in kg divided by height in meters squared (kg/m²). Step 1: Square the height (1.8 x 1.8 = 3.24). Step 2: Divide the weight by the squared height (81 / 3.24 = 25).
10.A vial of Piperacillin/Tazobactam is reconstituted and added to a 100 ml bag of 0.9% Sodium Chloride. The total volume in the bag is now exactly 110 ml. The prescription states it must be infused over exactly 30 minutes. What rate must the infusion pump be set to in ml/hr?▼
✅ Correct Answer
220 ml/hr
💡 Calculation Steps / Rationale
To calculate the rate in ml/hr for an infusion running in less than an hour, use the formula: (Total volume / Total time in minutes) x 60. (110 ml / 30 mins) x 60 = 220 ml/hr. Alternatively, since 30 minutes is half an hour, you must pump twice as fast to finish in time: 110 x 2 = 220 ml/hr.
11.A child weighing 16 kg is prescribed oral Erythromycin for a respiratory infection. The dosage is 40 mg/kg/day, to be given in four equally divided doses. How many milligrams (mg) should the child receive in a single dose?▼
✅ Correct Answer
160 mg
💡 Calculation Steps / Rationale
Step 1: Calculate the total daily dose (16 kg x 40 mg/kg = 640 mg per day). Step 2: Divide the total daily dose by the number of doses required per day (640 mg / 4 doses = 160 mg per single dose).
12.A trauma patient requires 1 unit of pooled Platelets with a volume of 250 ml to be transfused rapidly over 30 minutes. The specialized blood-giving set delivers 15 drops per ml. What is the correct drip rate in drops per minute?▼
✅ Correct Answer
125 drops/min
💡 Calculation Steps / Rationale
Use the standard drip rate formula: (Total volume in ml x Drop factor) / Total time in minutes. (250 ml x 15 drops/ml) / 30 minutes = 3750 / 30 = 125 drops/min.
13.A patient is prescribed 15 mg of oral Methadone liquid. The stock bottle dispensed by the pharmacy contains a concentration of 10 mg per 1 ml. How many milliliters (ml) should you administer?▼
✅ Correct Answer
1.5 ml
💡 Calculation Steps / Rationale
Use the formula: Dose required / Dose available. 15 mg / 10 mg/ml = 1.5 ml.
14.A doctor requests a 10 ml ampoule of 2% Lidocaine for a local anaesthetic procedure. How many total milligrams (mg) of Lidocaine are contained within this 10 ml ampoule?▼
✅ Correct Answer
200 mg
💡 Calculation Steps / Rationale
A 1% solution contains 1 gram in 100 ml (or 1000 mg in 100 ml = 10 mg/ml). Therefore, a 2% solution contains 2 grams in 100 ml, which is 20 mg per 1 ml. To find the total in a 10 ml ampoule: 10 ml x 20 mg/ml = 200 mg.
15.A 250 ml bag of intravenous Vancomycin is prescribed to run at a rate of 125 ml/hr. The infusion is commenced at exactly 14:30 on the ward. What time will the infusion be completed?▼
✅ Correct Answer
16:30
💡 Calculation Steps / Rationale
First, calculate the total duration of the infusion by dividing the total volume by the hourly rate: 250 ml / 125 ml/hr = 2 hours. Then, add 2 hours to the start time: 14:30 + 2 hours = 16:30.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time is allowed for the NMC CBT Numeracy Test 2?
You are given exactly 30 minutes to complete the 15 numeracy questions. Practicing with our timer will help you manage this strict time limit effectively.
What kind of formulas do I need for this mock test?
You will need to apply standard nursing formulas such as (Target Volume ÷ Time) for IV rates, and (What you want ÷ What you have) for oral and injectable dosages.
Continue Your NMC CBT Preparation
Done with the math? Move on to the clinical sections or test your endurance with a full 115-question mock exam.