Systems of Measurements used in Health Care METRIC SYSTEM HOUSEHOLD SYSTEM

Systems of Measurements used in Health Care

METRIC SYSTEMHOUSEHOLD SYSTEM

METRIC TERM – ABBREVIATION – STANDARD SYSTEM COMPARISON

Meter m Length/distance

Gram g Weight/mass

Liter L* Volume/capacity

Metric system is more accurate than the household system.

Metric is easier to convert between numbers because everything is based on a unit of 10.

*Capital L is used for liter at all times, not lower case, can be confused with number 1 or l.

TERM ABBREVIATION MEANING

Conversion within the decimal system are calculated by multiplying by 10, 100, 1000 and so on

1kiloliter=1000 X1 liter=1000liters1hectoliter= 100 X 1 liter= 100 liters

1 decaliter= 10 X 1 liter= 10liters1deciliter= 0.1 X 1 liter= 0.1 liter

1 centiliter= 0.01 X1 liter= 0.01liter1milliliter= 0.001 X1 liter= 0.001 liter

***Gram or meter can be used in place of liter depending on what unit of measurement is used**

Less Than One Unit of Measure

• 1 decimeter (dm) = 1/10 or 0.1 of a meter

• 1 centimeter (cm) = 1/1 00 or 0.01 of a meter

• 1 millimeter (mm) = 1/1 000 or 0.001 of a meter

Length:

Volume:

• 1 deciliter (dL) = 1/10 or 0.1 of a liter

• 1 milliliter (mL) = 1/1 000 or 0.001 of a liter

More Than One Unit of Measure

• 1 .0 hectogram = 100 grams • 1 .5 hectograms = 150 grams • 1.0 kilogram = 1000 grams

• 1 .5 kilograms = 1500 grams

Weight:

Length:

• 1 .0 hecto meter = 100 meters • 1.5 hectometers = 150 meters • 1.0 kilometer = 1000 meters • 1.5 kilometers = 1500 meters

K H D B D C M

KING=kiloHenry=hectoDied=deca

By=base unit of measurement Drinking=deci

Chocolate=centiMilk=milli

The Metric Number Line:The Metric Number Line: AAnother way to help you navigate inside nother way to help you navigate inside

the metric system.the metric system.

Kilo Hecto Deka * Deci Centi Milli Kilo Hecto Deka * Deci Centi Milli

1000 100 10 1 0.1 .01 .0011000 100 10 1 0.1 .01 .001

To use the Metric Line:To use the Metric Line:

1.1. You will decide what unit you are You will decide what unit you are

changing FROM and what unit you changing FROM and what unit you are changing TO.are changing TO.

2.2. Starting at the FROM unit, count Starting at the FROM unit, count over (keeping in mind- "left" or over (keeping in mind- "left" or "right") to the TO unit."right") to the TO unit.

****This will be the number of places you will This will be the number of places you will move the decimal in your answer. move the decimal in your answer.

• EXAMPLE: 32 kilograms = ___________ gramsEXAMPLE: 32 kilograms = ___________ grams

((This means you want to change FROM kilograms TO grams.)This means you want to change FROM kilograms TO grams.)

Use the number line and count over, starting atUse the number line and count over, starting at

Kilograms….move to grams.Kilograms….move to grams.

K H D (grams) D C M K H D (grams) D C M

* ->* -> 1 place- 1 place- ->->2 places-2 places- -> -> 3 places3 places

Now we use the number of places Now we use the number of places you moved (3 places to the "right") you moved (3 places to the "right") to find the answer. to find the answer.

Move the decimal 3 places to the "right“Move the decimal 3 places to the "right“

using a zero to hold each of the placesusing a zero to hold each of the places

32 kilograms = 32000 grams32 kilograms = 32000 grams

Don’t forget that every whole number Don’t forget that every whole number has ahas a

decimal to it’s right, so in our example decimal to it’s right, so in our example

32kg is the same as saying 32.0 kg 32kg is the same as saying 32.0 kg (We don’t always write the decimal to the right of a number(We don’t always write the decimal to the right of a number

but it is understood that it is there.)but it is understood that it is there.)

Converting units within the metric system is accomplished by moving the decimal point.

Example: A physician orders 2000milligrams of a medicationThe medication is available in 2-gram tablets

Milligrams must be converted to gramsMilli is in the third place to the right of gram

Move the decimal point three spaces to the left toward gram: 2000=2.000 , or 2.

Change unit name to grams: 2gramsThe proper dose would be 2 grams, or one 2-gram tablet.

**Converting from a larger to a smaller prefix or unit (kilo to milli): the answer will be larger. **Converting from a smaller

to a larger prefix or unit (milli to kilo): the answer will be smaller.

**Millimeters (mL) and cubic centinmeters (cc) represent the same amount. Both units measure volume, and they are often interchanged when dispensing liquids. **1mL=1cc. 1mL or 1cc

has a weight of 1gram.

Basic Rules for the Metric System1. Numbers less than one unit are written in decimals.

Examples: 0.1 0.01 0.001

2. If there is no number before the decimal point, always add a zero.

Examples: .1 is 0.1 .5 is 0.5

.75 is 0.75

3. Abbreviations are always singular, never plural. Examples:

Grams is abbreviated g, not gs. Liters is abbreviated L, not Ls.

Liter is always shortened to capital L, not lowercase I.

4. Leave a space between the number and the abbreviation.

Examples: 10 g not lOg.

1000 ml not l000ml.

HOUSEHOLD SYSTEMHOUSEHOLD SYSTEM

• Method of measurement most Method of measurement most familiar to US students.familiar to US students.

• Units of measurement are related to Units of measurement are related to each other and can be converted each other and can be converted among themselves.among themselves.


• Volume/capacity measurements:Volume/capacity measurements:– Tablespoons (T or tbsp): 2T=1ozTablespoons (T or tbsp): 2T=1oz– Ounces (oz): 8oz=1C (cup)Ounces (oz): 8oz=1C (cup)– Cups (C or cp): 2C=1ptCups (C or cp): 2C=1pt– Pints (pt): 2pt=1qtPints (pt): 2pt=1qt– Quarts (qt): 4qt=1galQuarts (qt): 4qt=1gal


• Distance/length measurementDistance/length measurement– Inch(in or “) 12in =1ftInch(in or “) 12in =1ft– Foot (ft or ‘): 3ft=1ydFoot (ft or ‘): 3ft=1yd– Yard (yd): 1,760yd=1mileYard (yd): 1,760yd=1mile


• Mass/weight measurements:Mass/weight measurements:– Ounce (oz): 16oz=1lbOunce (oz): 16oz=1lb– Pound=lbPound=lb

Converting Systems of Converting Systems of MeasurementMeasurement• Health Care work requires that units from one Health Care work requires that units from one

system of measurement be converted to those of system of measurement be converted to those of another.another.

• Requires knowledge of the equivalences between Requires knowledge of the equivalences between systemssystems

• Common approximate equivalents:Common approximate equivalents:– Distance/lengthDistance/length Capacity/volumeCapacity/volume Mass/weightMass/weight

• 1in=2.5cm1in=2.5cm 1tsp=5ml=5cc1tsp=5ml=5cc 2.2lb=1kg2.2lb=1kg

• 39.4in=1m39.4in=1m 1oz=30ml=30cc1oz=30ml=30cc

Frequently, there are no exact equivalents, and the answer is a close Frequently, there are no exact equivalents, and the answer is a close approximation when converting between systems.approximation when converting between systems.

STEPS FOR PERFORMING STEPS FOR PERFORMING CONVERSIONSCONVERSIONS• Identify an equivalent between two systemsIdentify an equivalent between two systems

• Set up a proportion so unit measurements on Set up a proportion so unit measurements on each side of the equation are the sameeach side of the equation are the same

• Use X for the unknown value being calculatedUse X for the unknown value being calculated

• Cross-multiply (multiply the means and then Cross-multiply (multiply the means and then multiply the extremes)multiply the extremes)

• Solve for XSolve for X

• Decide if the answer is reasonableDecide if the answer is reasonable

STEPS FOR PERFORMING STEPS FOR PERFORMING CONVERSIONS…CONTCONVERSIONS…CONT• If converting from a smaller unit to a larger unit, If converting from a smaller unit to a larger unit,

the answer will be smaller.the answer will be smaller.– Example: How many tsp are in 10ml?Example: How many tsp are in 10ml?

• Known equivalent: 1tsp=5mlKnown equivalent: 1tsp=5ml

• 1tsp: 5ml= X tsp.: 10ml1tsp: 5ml= X tsp.: 10ml

• X= 2tspX= 2tsp

STEPS FOR PERFORMING STEPS FOR PERFORMING CONVERSIONS….CONT CONVERSIONS….CONT • If converting from a larger unit to a smaller unit, If converting from a larger unit to a smaller unit,

the answer will be largerthe answer will be larger– Example: How many pounds are in 6.8kg?Example: How many pounds are in 6.8kg?

• Known equivalent: 2.2pd=1kgKnown equivalent: 2.2pd=1kg

• 2.2pd: 1kg= Xpd: 6.8kg2.2pd: 1kg= Xpd: 6.8kg

• X=14.96poundsX=14.96pounds

YouTubeYouTube

•http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tHpDzXP-lg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tHpDzXP-lg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5tHpDzXP-lg

Standard and Metric Units of Length

Measuring Devices: Fluid Ounces and Cubic Centimeters

Measuring cup

Baby’s bottle Graduate

Converting Pounds and Kilograms

Converting pounds to kilograms

Multiply weight in pounds by 0.45 Examples:

110 lb changed to kilograms: 110 x 0.45 = 49.5 kg

200 lb changed to kilograms: 200 x 0.45 =90 kg

Converting kilograms to pounds

Multiply weight in kilograms by 2.2 Examples:

50 kg changed to pounds: 50 x 2.2 = 110 lb

90 kg changed to pounds: 90 x 2.2 = 198 lb

Converting Ounces to MetricMeasurements

•Converting ounces to cc/ml

Multiply volume in ounces by 30 Examples:

1 oz medicine 1 × 30 = 30 ml = 30 cc 8 oz water 8 × 30 = 240 ml = 240 cc 6 oz soup 6 × 30 = 180 ml = 180 cc 4 oz juice 4 × 30 = 120 ml = 120 cc

12 oz soda pop 12 × 30 = 360 ml = 360 cc

• Converting ounces to gramsMultiply weight in ounces by 30

Examples:

1 oz changed to grams: 1 × 30 = 30 g

8 oz changed to grams: 8 × 30 = 240 g

**Remember 1oz also equivalent to 1gram**

Metric/Household Metric/Household Conversion PracticeConversion Practice• 30ml/cc=____oz30ml/cc=____oz 32oz=______cups32oz=______cups

• 20kg=______lbs20kg=______lbs 40.5lbs=______oz40.5lbs=______oz

• 2000g=______kg2000g=______kg 5T=______ml5T=______ml

• 3.5L=______ml3.5L=______ml 30ml=______tsp30ml=______tsp

• 10 tsp=______cc10 tsp=______cc 850ml=______L850ml=______L

• 5yd =______m5yd =______m

• 100F=______C100F=______C

• 38C=______F38C=______F

• 8qts=______L8qts=______L

Metric/Household Metric/Household Conversion PracticeConversion Practice• At the pediatrician’s office, Mr. Johnson observes you At the pediatrician’s office, Mr. Johnson observes you

documenting his daughter’s weight as 30kilograms. documenting his daughter’s weight as 30kilograms. Mr. Johnson asks you to tell him the weight in pounds. Mr. Johnson asks you to tell him the weight in pounds.

• Mrs. Bennerman has been instructed to drink a liter of Mrs. Bennerman has been instructed to drink a liter of water prior to her fetal ultrasound. She asks you how water prior to her fetal ultrasound. She asks you how many cups of fluid she will have to drink. many cups of fluid she will have to drink.

• The doctor has requested Mrs. Lim to give her toddler The doctor has requested Mrs. Lim to give her toddler 30cc of Gatorade each hour after vomiting subsides. 30cc of Gatorade each hour after vomiting subsides. Mrs. Lim would like to use a spoon for administering Mrs. Lim would like to use a spoon for administering the fluid. How many teaspoons/tablespoons will you the fluid. How many teaspoons/tablespoons will you tell her?tell her?

Question for WednesdayQuestion for Wednesday

• How many cc’s are in 1oz?How many cc’s are in 1oz?

Question for FridayQuestion for Friday

• How many mm of gauze bandage is How many mm of gauze bandage is needed to cover a wound that is 6cm needed to cover a wound that is 6cm in length?in length?

Question for ThursdayQuestion for Thursday

• How many milliliters are in four How many milliliters are in four liters?liters?

Question for MondayQuestion for Monday

• What is the length in inches of a What is the length in inches of a newborn baby measured to be newborn baby measured to be 56cm?56cm?

Test ReviewTest Review

•A resident is to receive A resident is to receive 1milligram of medication per 1milligram of medication per dose. If a solution has dose. If a solution has 8milligrams of medication in 8milligrams of medication in 40milliliters of solution, how 40milliliters of solution, how much solution should the much solution should the resident receive?resident receive?


• A radiology patient needs to drink A radiology patient needs to drink one liter of contrast fluid prior to a one liter of contrast fluid prior to a procedure. How many 250cc procedure. How many 250cc containers will the patient need to containers will the patient need to drink?drink?


• Two yards of elastic bandage is Two yards of elastic bandage is needed to wrap an athlete’s ankle. needed to wrap an athlete’s ankle. How many meters of bandage will be How many meters of bandage will be used?used?


• The number of ml that a 500cc The number of ml that a 500cc container can hold is:container can hold is:


• A premature infant weighing A premature infant weighing 650grams weighs how many 650grams weighs how many milligrams?milligrams?


• How many mm of gauze bandage is How many mm of gauze bandage is needed to cover a wound that is 6cm needed to cover a wound that is 6cm in length?in length?


• The average adult brain weighs 40-The average adult brain weighs 40-60ounces or how many kg?60ounces or how many kg?


• Susie has been on a diet and has lost Susie has been on a diet and has lost 4kilograms. How many pounds has 4kilograms. How many pounds has she lost?she lost?


• Johnny weighed 13lbs on his 2month Johnny weighed 13lbs on his 2month check-up. How many kilograms did check-up. How many kilograms did he weigh?he weigh?


• The capacity of the right atrium is The capacity of the right atrium is approximately 1.9ounces. What approximately 1.9ounces. What does this equal in cc’s?does this equal in cc’s?


• How many mL of liquid medication How many mL of liquid medication can a teaspoon hold?can a teaspoon hold?


• Which kitchen utensil is BEST to use Which kitchen utensil is BEST to use when measuring 15mL of cough when measuring 15mL of cough syrup?syrup?


• What is the length in inches of a What is the length in inches of a newborn baby measured to be newborn baby measured to be 56cm?56cm?


• A surgical scar which measures A surgical scar which measures 5.1cm is how many inches long?5.1cm is how many inches long?


• A surgeon removes a 100gm tumor A surgeon removes a 100gm tumor from a patient. How many ounces from a patient. How many ounces does this tumor weigh?does this tumor weigh?


• Approximately how many kilograms Approximately how many kilograms does a 225 pound patient weigh?does a 225 pound patient weigh?


• 10 milliliters is equal to 10……10 milliliters is equal to 10……


• How many milliliters are in four How many milliliters are in four liters?liters?


• How many cc’s are in one liter of How many cc’s are in one liter of fluid?fluid?


• How many Kg are equal to 40lbs?How many Kg are equal to 40lbs?


• Patient has a temperature of Patient has a temperature of 99degrees F. What is their 99degrees F. What is their temperature in Celsius?temperature in Celsius?


• How many mL of liquid medication How many mL of liquid medication can a teaspoon hold?can a teaspoon hold?


• How many kg’s are equal to 40lbs?How many kg’s are equal to 40lbs?


• 12,000L is equal to how many KL?12,000L is equal to how many KL?


• The capacity of the right atrium is The capacity of the right atrium is approximately 1.9ounces. What approximately 1.9ounces. What does this equal in mL?does this equal in mL?

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Systems of Measurements used in Health Care METRIC SYSTEM HOUSEHOLD SYSTEM