System of measurements

International System of Units (SI) (also in chapter 2)

Quantities length volume weight Multiples multipliers that will make the value higher Exa Peta Tera Giga 1018 1015 1012 109 Mega Myria Kilo Hecto Deka 106 104 103 102 10 Basic Unit inches L, m3 g

Subdivision vice versa of multipliers deci 10-1 centi 10-2 milli 10-3 micro 10-6

nano pico femto atto -

10-9 10-12 10-15 10-18

International Units (U)

In pharmacology, international unit measures biological activity, or effect, of a substance. It is abbreviated as IU, as UI (French unit internationale or Italian unit internazionale), or as IE (German Internationale Einheit). In order to remove every possibility of ever having the letter: "I" confused with the digit: "1", some hospitals have it as a stated policy to always, in all contexts, omit the "I", that is: to only use U or E when talking and writing about dosages.

Household Measurement
1 drop (gtt) 20 drops = 1 mL 1 teaspoonful (tsp) = 5 mL 1 tablespoonful (tsbp) = 15mL

Apothecaries (Appendix A)
Volume

gal.

qt.

gallon
1

quart
4 1

pint
2 1

fluid oz.
16 1

fluidrachm

minims

8 1

60

Volume equivalent to be memorized: 1 mL = 16.23 Weight lb. gr

pound
1

ounce
12 1

drachm
8 1

scruple

grain

3 1 Weight equivalent to be memorized: 1 g = 15.432 gr

20

Avoirdupois
Use in commerce Units used same in Apothecaries but with different conversion value

437.5 gr = 1 oz 16 oz = 1 lb Weight Equivalents to be memorized: 1 oz = 28.35 g 1 oz = 15.432 gr

Exercises:
1. 1 kg = __________ av. lb 1 tsp = __________ mL 1= __________ gr 1 in. = __________ cm 1 = __________ fl. oz 1 gal = __________ 1 mL = __________ 1 oz = __________ gr 1 ap. ounce = ___________ g 1 lb = __________ g