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Basicmedical Key: Systems of Measurement and Common Equivalents
Basicmedical Key: Systems of Measurement and Common Equivalents
This chapter will help you to understand the measurement systems used for medication
administration. This knowledge is necessary to accurately implement the problem-solving method
of dimensional analysis.
Systems of Measurement
Three systems of measurement are used for medication dosage administration: the metric system, the apothecaries’
system, and the household system. To be able to accurately administer medication, you must understand all three of
these systems.
Another way to understand the metric units of weight and their equivalents is to visualize the relationship between the
measurements and equivalents displayed in Figure 2.1.
The most frequently used metric units for volume and their equivalents are summarized in Box 2.2.
• 1 kilogram (kg)
• 1 gram (g)
• 1 milligram (mg)
• 1 microgram (mcg)
• 1 kg = 1000 g
• 1 g = 1000 mg
• 1 mg = 1000 mcg
• 1 liter (L)
• 1 milliliter (mL)
• 1 L = 1000 mL
Figure 2.2. Metric system units of volume and
equivalents.
Another way to understand the metric units of volume and their equivalents is to visualize the relationship between
the measurements and equivalents displayed in Figure 2.2.
The most frequently used measurements and equivalents within the apothecaries’ system’s units of weight are
summarized in Box 2.3, and the most frequently used measurements and equivalents within the apothecaries’ system’s
units of volume are summarized in Box 2.4. Figure 2.3 can help you visualize the equivalents for weight and volume.
• 1 pound (lb)
• 1 ounce (oz)
• 1 dram (dr)
• 1 grain (gr)
• 1 lb = 16 oz
• 1 oz = 8 dr
• 1 dr = 60 gr
Box 2.4 Apothecaries’ System Units of Volume and Equivalents
• 1 gallon (gal)
• 1 quart (qt)
• 1 pint (pt)
• 1 fluid ounce (fl oz)
• 1 fluid dram (fl dr)
• 1 minim (M)
• 1 gal = 4 qt
• 1 qt = 2 pt
• 1 pt = 16 fl oz
• 1 fl oz = 8 fl dr
• 1 fl dr = 60 M
• 1 fl oz = 1 oz
• 1 fl dr = 1 dr
Figure 2.3. Apothecaries’ system of equivalents for weight and volume. Please note that the
• 1 cup
• 1 tablespoon (tbsp or T)
• 1 teaspoon (tsp or t)
• 1 drop (gtt)
• 1 cup = 8 ounces (oz)
• 2 Tbsp = 1 oz
• 3 tsp = 1 tbsp
• 1 tsp = 60 gtt
Figure 2.4. Household measurement system and equivalents for volume. Please note that
Common Equivalents
Dimensional Analysis
Dimensional Analysis
• Three-Factor Medication
Problems
• Two-Factor Medication
Problems
• Two-Factor Medication
Problems
• Three-Factor Medication
Problems
• One-Factor Medication
Problems
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Jun 30, 2016 | Posted by drzezo in PHARMACY | Comments Off on Systems of Measurement and
Common Equivalents