Discuss the equivalent of:
SI system
1.1.1 SI Units of Length
Metric Length Equivalents
The conversion factor between meter and kilometer is 1000. 1 km = 1000 m
The conversion factor between meter and millimeter is 1000. 1 m = 1000 mm
The conversion factor between meter and centimeter is 100. 1 m = 100 cm
The conversion factor between centimeter and millimeter is 10. 1 cm = 10 mm
1.1.2 SI units of Volume 1 inch = 2.5 cm = 25 mm
Metric Volume Equivalents
1 mL = 1 cc The conversion factor is 1.
1 L = 1000 mL The conversion factor is 1000.
1 L = 1000 cc The conversion factor is 1000.
1.1.3 SI Units of Weight
Metric Weight Equivalents
1 kg = 1000g The conversion factor is 1000.
1 g = 1000 mg The conversion factor is 1000.
1mg = 1000 mcg The conversion factor is 1000.
- 2 Household System Units
Household System Units of Volume and their Equivalent
Unit Abbreviation Equivalent
Drop gtt
Teaspoon t or tsp 1t = 5mL
Table spoon T or tbs 1 T = 3tsp =15mL
Teacup
Glass
1.3 Apothecaries’ System Equivalents
Symbolic Notation Meaning
i = viii 1 ounce = 8 drams
pt i = z 16 1 pint = 16 ounces, 1 ounce = 30mL
qt i = pt ii 1 quart = 2 pints
gal i = qt iv 1 gal = 4 quarts
1.4 British System Equivalents
1 foot = 12 inches
1 yard = 3 feet = 36 inches
1 mile = 1760 yards
- Convert SI weight from one unit to another unit and SI volume from one unit to another unit.
Conversion of SI weight from one unit to another unit
Convert the following:
- Convert 28.5 g into mg.
Solution:
Step– 1: Equivalent?
As we know that 1 g = 1000mg conversion factor =1000.
Step-2: Multiply or divide?
Conversion is to smaller units. Multiply by the conversion factor.
28.5 g = 28.5 x 1000 = 28500 mg
Hence 28.5 g =28500 mg
- _________ kg = 135 g
- Solution:
Solution:
Step– 1: Equivalent?
As we know that 1 kg = 1000g conversion factor =1000.
Step-2: Multiply or divide?
Conversion is to larger units. Divide by the conversion factor.
135 g = 135 / 1000 = 0.135 kg
Hence 0.135 kg = 135 g
- _________ g = 4.5 kg
Solution:
Step– 1: Equivalent?
As we know that 1 kg = 1000 g conversion factor =1000.
Step-2: Multiply or divide?
Conversion is to smaller units. Multiply by the conversion factor.
4.5 kg = 4.5 x 1000 = 4500 g
Hence 4500 g = 4.5 kg
750 mg = _____ g
Solution:
Step– 1: Equivalent?
As we know that 1 g = 1000mg conversion factor =1000.
Step-2: Multiply or divide?
Conversion is to larger units. Divide by the conversion factor.
750 mg = 750 / 1000 = 0.75 g
Hence 750 mg = 0.75 g
- _____ mcg =0.4 mg
Solution:
Step– 1: Equivalent?
As we know that 1 mg = 1000 mcg conversion factor =1000.
Step-2: Multiply or divide?
Conversion is to smaller units. Multiply by the conversion factor.
0.4 mg = 0.4 x 1000 = 400 mcg
Hence 400 mcg = 0.4 mg
| On the Job Practice |
Convert the tablet dosage strength as indicated:
- Paracetamol 500 mg tablet ______ g
- Triamcilone 4 mg tablet ______ g
- Codeine sulfate 0.03 g tablet ______ mg
- Morphine sulfate 0.015 g tablet ______ mg
- A premature baby, born before the 37-38 week of gestation, has a birth weight of less than 2.5 kilograms. 2.5 kg = _____ g
Conversion of SI Volume from one unit to another unit
- 2.85 L = _____ mL
Step– 1: Equivalent?
As we know that 1 L = 1000 mL conversion factor =1000.
Step-2: Multiply or divide?
Conversion is to smaller units. Multiply by the conversion factor.
2.85 L = 2.85 x 1000 = 2850 mL
Hence 2.85 L = 2850 mL
- 750 mL = ____ L
Step– 1: Equivalent?
As we know that 1 L = 1000 mL conversion factor =1000.
Step-2: Multiply or divide?
Conversion is to larger units. Divide by the conversion factor.
750 mL = 750 / 1000 = 0.75 L
Hence 750 mL = 0.75 L
- ____ cc = 0.85 L
Step– 1: Equivalent?
As we know that 1 L = 1000 cc conversion factor =1000.
Step-2: Multiply or divide?
Conversion is to smaller units. Multiply by the conversion factor.
0.85 L = 0.85 X 1000 = 850 cc
Hence 850 cc = 0.85 L
- ____ mL = 25 cc
Step– 1: Equivalent?
As we know that 1 mL = 1 cc conversion factor = 1
Step-2: Multiply or divide?
The Conversion is to the same size unit. The quantity of cubic centimeter will be equal to the quantity of milliliters.
Hence 25 mL = 25 cc.
| On the Job Practice |
The normal daily intake of fluid for an adult is about 1500- 2000 milliliters. Express this average in liters.
______ L = ______ L
- The average capacity of an adult urinary bladder is about 500 cc.
500 cc = _____ mL = _____ L
- The average adult excretes about 1200 – 1500 cc of urine every 24 hours. Express this range in milliliters first, then in liters.
1200 cc = _____ mL = _____ L
1500 cc = _____ mL = _____ L
- A given syringe holds 3cc of medication. The capacity of the syringe could be stated as _____ mL.
- A certain tuberculin syringe has a capacity of 0.5 mL. What is the volume of this syringe in cc. ____ cc.
- Convert kilogram to pound and pound to kilogram
Conversion between metric and English system
- Convert 154 pounds to kilograms.
Step– 1: Equivalent?
As we know that 1 kg = 2.2 lb conversion factor =2.2.
Step-2: Multiply or divide?
Conversion is to larger units. Divide by the conversion factor.
154 lb = 154 ÷ 2.2 = 70 kg
Hence 154 lb = 70 kg
- Convert 15.5 kilogram to pounds.
Step– 1: Equivalent?
As we know that 1 kg = 2.2 lb conversion factor =2.2.
Step-2: Multiply or divide?
Conversion is to smaller units. Multiply by the conversion factor.
15.5 kg = 15.5 X 2.2 = 34.1 lb
Hence 15.5 kg = 34.1 lb
| On the Job Practice |
- Solve simple word problems based on these measurement systems.
The weights of three patients were recorded. Convert the units.
- 196 pounds = _____ kg
- 157 pounds = _____ kg
- 61 kilograms = _____ lb