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NB TCN Numeracy study materials
NB TCN Numeracy study resources

NB TCN Numeracy practice questions

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Question 1Number sense and operations

A patient is prescribed 0.75 mg of a medication. Which fraction is equivalent to 0.75?

  1. 3/4 Correct answer.
  2. 7/5
  3. 3/5
  4. 4/3

Explanation

The decimal 0.75 means 75 hundredths. Dividing numerator and denominator by 25 reduces 75/100 to 3/4, so the two values are equal.

Question 2Number sense and operations

A nurse records a fluid intake of 1,250 mL. How many litres is this?

  1. 0.125 L
  2. 12.5 L
  3. 125 L
  4. 1.25 L Correct answer.

Explanation

There are 1,000 millilitres in one litre, so you divide the millilitre value by 1,000. Dividing 1,250 by 1,000 moves the decimal point three places left, giving 1.25 L.

Question 3Number sense and operations

What is the value of 6 + 4 × 3 − 2?

  1. 20
  2. 16 Correct answer.
  3. 12
  4. 28

Explanation

Order of operations requires multiplication before addition and subtraction. First 4 × 3 = 12, then 6 + 12 − 2 = 16.

Question 4Number sense and operations

Which number is rounded to the nearest whole number correctly?

  1. 6.5 rounds to 6
  2. 7.4 rounds to 8
  3. 3.8 rounds to 3
  4. 9.2 rounds to 9 Correct answer.

Explanation

When rounding to the nearest whole number, a tenths digit of 5 or more rounds up and a digit of 4 or less keeps the whole number. In 9.2 the tenths digit is 2, so it stays 9.

Question 5Number sense and operations

A patient's temperature rises from 37.2 °C to 38.6 °C. What is the increase?

  1. 1.6 °C
  2. 0.14 °C
  3. 1.4 °C Correct answer.
  4. 2.4 °C

Explanation

Subtract the starting temperature from the final temperature, aligning the decimal points. 38.6 − 37.2 = 1.4, so the rise is 1.4 °C.

Question 6Number sense and operations

Which list of numbers is in order from smallest to largest?

  1. 0.5, 0.05, 0.55
  2. 0.55, 0.5, 0.05
  3. 0.05, 0.5, 0.55 Correct answer.
  4. 0.5, 0.55, 0.05

Explanation

Compare decimals place by place from left to right. 0.05 has zero tenths, while 0.5 and 0.55 both have five tenths, and 0.55 is larger because of its extra hundredths digit.

Question 7Number sense and operations

What is 15% of 240?

  1. 36 Correct answer.
  2. 24
  3. 16
  4. 48

Explanation

Fifteen percent equals 0.15, and 0.15 × 240 = 36. A quick check is that 10% of 240 is 24 and 5% is 12, and 24 + 12 = 36.

Question 8Number sense and operations

Which of these is a prime number?

  1. 21
  2. 27
  3. 29 Correct answer.
  4. 33

Explanation

A prime number has exactly two factors, 1 and itself. The number 29 is not divisible by 2, 3, or 5, so it is prime.

Question 9Number sense and operations

A dose of 480 mg is to be given in 3 equal doses. How many milligrams is each dose?

  1. 180 mg
  2. 240 mg
  3. 120 mg
  4. 160 mg Correct answer.

Explanation

Dividing the total dose by the number of doses gives the size of each dose. 480 ÷ 3 = 160, so each dose is 160 mg.

Question 10Number sense and operations

A solution contains 3 parts water to 1 part concentrate. If 600 mL of solution is made, how much concentrate is needed?

  1. 450 mL
  2. 150 mL Correct answer.
  3. 200 mL
  4. 100 mL

Explanation

The ratio 3:1 means there are 4 parts in total. One part is 600 ÷ 4 = 150 mL, and that part is the concentrate.

Question 11Number sense and operations

What is 2/3 + 1/4?

  1. 8/12
  2. 3/7
  3. 11/12 Correct answer.
  4. 3/12

Explanation

Find a common denominator, which for 3 and 4 is 12. Then 2/3 = 8/12 and 1/4 = 3/12, and 8/12 + 3/12 = 11/12.

Question 12Number sense and operations

A patient weighs 68 kg. Using 1 kg = 2.2 lb, what is the weight in pounds?

  1. 30.9 lb
  2. 149.6 lb Correct answer.
  3. 152 lb
  4. 136 lb

Explanation

Multiply the kilogram value by the conversion factor. 68 × 2.2 = 149.6, so the weight is 149.6 lb.

Question 13Number sense and operations

A drug dose is 0.025 g. How many milligrams is this?

  1. 250 mg
  2. 2.5 mg
  3. 25 mg Correct answer.
  4. 0.25 mg

Explanation

One gram equals 1,000 milligrams, so multiply by 1,000. Moving the decimal point three places right in 0.025 gives 25 mg.

Question 14Number sense and operations

Which fraction is equivalent to 0.6?

  1. 1/6
  2. 3/5 Correct answer.
  3. 6/100
  4. 6/5

Explanation

The decimal 0.6 equals 6/10, which reduces by dividing both parts by 2 to give 3/5.

Question 15Number sense and operations

A nurse must give 0.4 mg of a drug. The stock solution is 0.2 mg per mL. How many millilitres are needed?

  1. 0.5 mL
  2. 0.08 mL
  3. 8 mL
  4. 2 mL Correct answer.

Explanation

Divide the required dose by the concentration to find the volume. 0.4 ÷ 0.2 = 2, so 2 mL is needed.

Question 16Number sense and operations

What is 25% expressed as a fraction in its simplest form?

  1. 1/4 Correct answer.
  2. 1/25
  3. 2/5
  4. 1/2

Explanation

Twenty-five percent means 25 per 100, or 25/100. Dividing numerator and denominator by 25 gives the simplest form, 1/4.

Question 17Number sense and operations

A patient drinks 250 mL, then 180 mL, then 320 mL. What is the total intake?

  1. 750 mL Correct answer.
  2. 800 mL
  3. 700 mL
  4. 650 mL

Explanation

Add the three volumes together, aligning place values. 250 + 180 = 430, and 430 + 320 = 750, so the total is 750 mL.

Question 18Number sense and operations

A patient's fluid output over 8 hours is 1,200 mL. What is the average hourly output?

  1. 100 mL/h
  2. 120 mL/h
  3. 150 mL/h Correct answer.
  4. 96 mL/h

Explanation

Average hourly output is total output divided by the number of hours. 1,200 ÷ 8 = 150, so the average is 150 mL/h.

Question 19Number sense and operations

Which number is the largest?

  1. 0.305
  2. 0.035
  3. 0.5 Correct answer.
  4. 0.35

Explanation

Compare decimals by their tenths digit first. The number 0.5 has five tenths, while all the others have three or zero tenths, so 0.5 is the largest.

Question 20Number sense and operations

A medication is supplied as 500 mg in 2 mL. How many milligrams are in 5 mL?

  1. 1,250 mg Correct answer.
  2. 1,000 mg
  3. 2,500 mg
  4. 1,500 mg

Explanation

First find the concentration: 500 mg ÷ 2 mL = 250 mg per mL. Multiplying by 5 mL gives 250 × 5 = 1,250 mg.

Question 21Number sense and operations

A patient's weight changes from 82.4 kg to 79.7 kg. What is the percentage decrease, rounded to one decimal place?

  1. 3.3% Correct answer.
  2. 3.4%
  3. 4.0%
  4. 2.7%

Explanation

The decrease is 82.4 − 79.7 = 2.7 kg. Dividing by the original weight gives 2.7 ÷ 82.4 ≈ 0.0328, which is about 3.3%.

Question 22Number sense and operations

A solution is made by mixing a medicine with saline in the ratio 2:7. If 45 mL of medicine is used, how much solution is made in total?

  1. 157.5 mL
  2. 202.5 mL Correct answer.
  3. 315 mL
  4. 135 mL

Explanation

The ratio 2:7 means 2 parts medicine corresponds to 45 mL, so one part is 22.5 mL. Total parts are 9, and 9 × 22.5 = 202.5 mL.

Question 23Number sense and operations

A stock solution contains 1 g of drug in 20 mL. A patient needs 250 mg. How many millilitres should be given?

  1. 1.25 mL
  2. 5 mL Correct answer.
  3. 10 mL
  4. 2.5 mL

Explanation

Convert 1 g to 1,000 mg, so the concentration is 1,000 mg per 20 mL, or 50 mg per mL. Dividing 250 mg by 50 mg/mL gives 5 mL.

Question 24Number sense and operations

What is 3/8 expressed as a decimal?

  1. 0.375 Correct answer.
  2. 0.38
  3. 0.83
  4. 0.267

Explanation

Dividing the numerator by the denominator gives the decimal form. 3 ÷ 8 = 0.375, so 3/8 equals 0.375.

Question 25Number sense and operations

A nurse works out that a patient needs 0.15 g of a drug. The tablets available contain 50 mg each. How many tablets are needed?

  1. 2
  2. 3 Correct answer.
  3. 5
  4. 4

Explanation

Convert grams to milligrams first: 0.15 g = 150 mg. Each tablet is 50 mg, and 150 ÷ 50 = 3 tablets.

Question 26Number sense and operations

A patient's fluid chart shows a total intake of 2.4 litres. How many millilitres is this?

  1. 24,000 mL
  2. 2,400 mL Correct answer.
  3. 240 mL
  4. 24 mL

Explanation

One litre contains 1,000 millilitres, so converting litres to millilitres means multiplying by 1,000. Here 2.4 × 1,000 = 2,400 mL.

Question 27Number sense and operations

What is 0.75 written as a fraction in its simplest form?

  1. 7/5
  2. 3/4 Correct answer.
  3. 1/75
  4. 75/100

Explanation

0.75 means 75 hundredths, or 75/100. Dividing the numerator and denominator by 25 gives 3/4, which cannot be simplified further.

Question 28Number sense and operations

A patient's temperature is recorded as 38.6 degrees Celsius. Which number is this rounded to the nearest whole degree?

  1. 38.5
  2. 38
  3. 39 Correct answer.
  4. 40

Explanation

The digit after the decimal point is 6, which is 5 or more, so the whole number rounds up. 38.6 therefore rounds to 39.

Question 29Number sense and operations

Which of these numbers is divisible by 9?

  1. 3,215
  2. 8,102
  3. 1,234
  4. 4,527 Correct answer.

Explanation

A number is divisible by 9 when the sum of its digits is a multiple of 9. For 4,527 the digit sum is 4+5+2+7 = 18, which is 9 × 2, so 4,527 is divisible by 9.

Question 30Number sense and operations

A patient is prescribed 1,500 mL of fluid over 12 hours by infusion pump. What is the required flow rate in millilitres per hour?

  1. 150 mL/h
  2. 100 mL/h
  3. 180 mL/h
  4. 125 mL/h Correct answer.

Explanation

Flow rate equals total volume divided by total time. Dividing 1,500 mL by 12 hours gives 125 mL per hour.

Question 31Number sense and operations

A nurse needs to give 0.6 g of a drug. The tablets available contain 200 mg each. How many tablets are required?

  1. 4 tablets
  2. 3 tablets Correct answer.
  3. 30 tablets
  4. 2 tablets

Explanation

First convert grams to milligrams: 0.6 g = 600 mg. Then divide the required dose by the tablet strength: 600 mg ÷ 200 mg = 3 tablets.

Question 32Number sense and operations

A patient's blood pressure falls from 148 mmHg to 111 mmHg. What is the percentage decrease, rounded to the nearest whole percent?

  1. 37%
  2. 25% Correct answer.
  3. 33%
  4. 30%

Explanation

Percentage change equals the change divided by the original value, multiplied by 100. The change is 148 − 111 = 37, so 37 ÷ 148 × 100 = 25%.

Question 33Number sense and operations

A patient's fluid intake is recorded as 1.2 litres, 350 mL and 0.45 litres. What is the total intake in millilitres?

  1. 2,000 mL Correct answer.
  2. 1,550 mL
  3. 2,450 mL
  4. 1,995 mL

Explanation

Convert every amount to millilitres first: 1.2 L = 1,200 mL and 0.45 L = 450 mL. Adding 1,200 + 350 + 450 gives 2,000 mL.

Question 34Number sense and operations

A nurse works out that a patient needs 0.15 g of a drug. The tablets available contain 50 mg each. How many tablets are required?

  1. 3 tablets Correct answer.
  2. 5 tablets
  3. 4 tablets
  4. 2 tablets

Explanation

Convert the dose to the same unit as the stock: 0.15 g = 150 mg. Dividing 150 mg by 50 mg per tablet gives 3 tablets.

Question 35Number sense and operations

A solution is made by mixing medicine with saline in the ratio 2:7. If 45 mL of medicine is used, how much solution is made in total?

  1. 202.5 mL Correct answer.
  2. 135 mL
  3. 315 mL
  4. 157.5 mL

Explanation

The ratio 2:7 means 2 parts medicine to 9 parts solution in total. If 2 parts equal 45 mL, one part is 22.5 mL, so 9 parts equal 9 × 22.5 = 202.5 mL.

Question 36Number sense and operations

What is 5/6 − 1/3 expressed in its simplest form?

  1. 1/2 Correct answer.
  2. 2/3
  3. 4/3
  4. 1/3

Explanation

Rewrite 1/3 as 2/6 so both fractions share a denominator. Then 5/6 − 2/6 = 3/6, which simplifies to 1/2.

Question 37Number sense and operations

A patient weighs 54 kg. Using 1 kg = 2.2 lb, what is the weight in pounds?

  1. 108 lb
  2. 24.5 lb
  3. 129.6 lb
  4. 118.8 lb Correct answer.

Explanation

To convert kilograms to pounds, multiply by 2.2. Here 54 × 2.2 = 118.8 lb.

Question 38Number sense and operations

A patient's chart shows a dose of 0.025 g. The stock ampoule contains 10 mg per mL. How many millilitres are needed?

  1. 0.25 mL
  2. 4 mL
  3. 2.5 mL Correct answer.
  4. 25 mL

Explanation

First convert grams to milligrams: 0.025 g = 25 mg. Dividing 25 mg by 10 mg per mL gives 2.5 mL.

Question 39Number sense and operations

A nurse records a patient's urine output as 0.85 litres. What is this amount in millilitres?

  1. 0.085 mL
  2. 85 mL
  3. 8,500 mL
  4. 850 mL Correct answer.

Explanation

One litre equals 1,000 millilitres, so converting litres to millilitres means multiplying by 1,000. Here 0.85 × 1,000 = 850, so the recorded output is 850 mL.

Question 40Number sense and operations

A patient is prescribed 1,200 mL of fluid to run over 8 hours. The giving set delivers 20 drops per mL. What drip rate in drops per minute is needed, rounded to the nearest whole drop?

  1. 150 drops/min Correct answer.
  2. 38 drops/min
  3. 50 drops/min
  4. 25 drops/min

Explanation

First find the hourly volume: 1,200 mL ÷ 8 h = 150 mL/h. Convert to minutes by dividing by 60, giving 2.5 mL/min, then multiply by the drop factor of 20 drops/mL to get 50 drops/min. The alternative single formula is (volume × drop factor) ÷ (hours × 60).

Question 41Measurement and units

How many centimetres are there in 3.5 metres?

  1. 3,500 cm
  2. 0.35 cm
  3. 35 cm
  4. 350 cm Correct answer.

Explanation

One metre contains 100 centimetres, so converting metres to centimetres means multiplying by 100. Applying this, 3.5 × 100 = 350 centimetres.

Question 42Measurement and units

A nurse records a patient's weight as 4,250 grams. What is this in kilograms?

  1. 425 kg
  2. 42.5 kg
  3. 4.25 kg Correct answer.
  4. 0.425 kg

Explanation

There are 1,000 grams in one kilogram, so grams are converted to kilograms by dividing by 1,000. Dividing 4,250 by 1,000 gives 4.25 kilograms.

Question 43Measurement and units

Which unit is most appropriate for recording the volume of liquid in a medicine spoon?

  1. Kilograms
  2. Millilitres Correct answer.
  3. Litres
  4. Cubic metres

Explanation

A medicine spoon holds only a small amount of liquid, so a small unit of volume is suitable. A millilitre is one-thousandth of a litre and matches this scale. Kilograms measure mass rather than volume.

Question 44Measurement and units

How many minutes are there in 2.5 hours?

  1. 90 minutes
  2. 125 minutes
  3. 250 minutes
  4. 150 minutes Correct answer.

Explanation

Each hour contains 60 minutes, so hours are converted to minutes by multiplying by 60. Multiplying 2.5 by 60 gives 150 minutes.

Question 45Measurement and units

A box weighs 2 kilograms 300 grams. What is this total weight in grams?

  1. 230 g
  2. 23,000 g
  3. 2,300 g Correct answer.
  4. 2,030 g

Explanation

Convert the kilograms to grams first by multiplying by 1,000, giving 2,000 grams. Adding the remaining 300 grams gives a total of 2,300 grams.

Question 46Measurement and units

How many millilitres are in 1.2 litres?

  1. 12 mL
  2. 1,200 mL Correct answer.
  3. 120 mL
  4. 12,000 mL

Explanation

There are 1,000 millilitres in one litre, so litres are converted to millilitres by multiplying by 1,000. Multiplying 1.2 by 1,000 gives 1,200 millilitres.

Question 47Measurement and units

Which of these lengths is the shortest?

  1. 500 mm
  2. 0.5 m
  3. 0.04 km
  4. 45 cm Correct answer.

Explanation

Convert each length to the same unit to compare them fairly. In centimetres the values are 50 cm, 45 cm, 50 cm and 4,000 cm, so 45 cm is the smallest.

Question 48Measurement and units

A jug holds 750 millilitres of water. How many litres is this?

  1. 0.075 L
  2. 7.5 L
  3. 0.75 L Correct answer.
  4. 75 L

Explanation

Millilitres are converted to litres by dividing by 1,000. Dividing 750 by 1,000 gives 0.75 litres.

Question 49Measurement and units

A patient drinks 250 mL at 08:00, 150 mL at 11:00 and 300 mL at 14:00. What is the total intake in litres?

  1. 1.7 L
  2. 7 L
  3. 0.07 L
  4. 0.7 L Correct answer.

Explanation

Add the three volumes in millilitres: 250 + 150 + 300 = 700 mL. Then divide by 1,000 to convert to litres, giving 0.7 litres.

Question 50Measurement and units

A tablet contains 0.25 grams of a drug. How many milligrams is this?

  1. 25 mg
  2. 250 mg Correct answer.
  3. 2.5 mg
  4. 2,500 mg

Explanation

One gram contains 1,000 milligrams, so grams are converted to milligrams by multiplying by 1,000. Multiplying 0.25 by 1,000 gives 250 milligrams.