Conversions Metric and Household Systems Chapter 4 MAT

Conversions: Metric and Household Systems Chapter 4 MAT 119

Objectives • Recall from memory the metric and household approximate equivalents. • Convert among units of measurement within the same system. • Convert units of measurement from one system to another. 2

Introduction • Medications are usually prescribed or ordered in a unit of weight measurement such as grams or milligrams. • The nurse must interpret this order and administer the correct number of tablets, capsules, teaspoons, milliliters, or other unit of volume or capacity measurement to deliver the prescribed amount of medication. 3

Conversion Slide • Use this diagram when converting dosages within the metric system • Move the decimal place three places for each step! kg g mcg 4

Common Conversions Weight: 1 kg = 2. 2 lbs 1 lb = 16 oz Length: 1 inch = 2. 54 cm For weight and height ALWAYS round to the tenths if there is a whole number and hundredths if there is no whole number! 5

Volume: • • • 5 m. L = 1 t 15 m. L = 3 t = 1 T 30 m. L = 6 t = 2 T = 1 fl oz 240 m. L = 1 cup = 8 fl oz 480 m. L = 2 cups = 1 pint = 16 fl oz 1000 m. L (1 L) = 4 cups = 1 qt = 32 fl oz 6

Problems • • Convert the following: 2 t ____m. L 30 m. L ____T ½ oz ____m. L 20 m. L ____t ½ c _____oz ____m. L 24 oz _____m. L 1. 5 L_______m. L 7

• • 22 in ____cm 65 in ____cm 156 cm ____in 84. 5 cm ____in • • • 25 kg _____lb 3500 g ______kg 185. 6 lb _____kg 59. 5 kg _____lb 1. 2 kg ______g 8

Problems • • • 25 mg _______mcg 125 mcg _______mg 5 g ____mg 125 g _______mcg 0. 125 mcg _______g 37. 5 mg _______g 9