Household measurement- this is often the way To convert smaller units to larger units, move the decimal

pharmacologic agents are administered at home point the apt number of spaces (3) to the LEFT
-is also the measuring system that is found in recipe books 1000 mg= 1.000=1g
Teaspoon- is the basic unit of fluid measure 500mg=0.500=5g
Pound- basic unit of solid measure PROBLEMS PRACTICE
COMMON HOUSEHOLD EQUIVALENTS *Larger to small units*
1qt (quart)= 4 cups Change 2g to mg
1pt (pint)= 2 cups Change 0.25g to mg
1 cup = 8 0z Change 2.5L to ml
1 oz= 2 T *Smaller to larger units*
1 teacup= 6 oz (ounces) Change 1500mg to g
1 T (tablespoon)= 3 t (teaspoon) Change 3000ug to mg
1 t= 5 ml (milliliter) Change 500ml to L
1 t= 60 gtt (drops) Formula for Computation of Dosages
Apothecary measurement ORAL MEDICATIONS: SOLID
-means pharmacist or druggist Desired dose
-system of measurement in an ancient system desired dose
= Quantity of drug
-much harder to use stock dose
Minim- is the basic unit of liquid measurement D/S= Q
Grain- is the basic unit of solid measurement *Desired dose is the order while stock is the drug available or
on hand*
Metric System-the most widely use system of measure
Example: The physical orders 500 micrograms of Digoxin.
Weight 1 kilogram(kg) =1000g (grams) The drug is available in 250 micrograms. How many tablets
1 gram (g)= 1000mg (milligrams) will you give?
1 milligram(mg)= 1000ug (micrograms) D/S=Q
1 microgram(ug)=1000ng(nanograms) Substitute: 500ug/250ug= 2 tablets
Volume 1 L ( Liter)= 1000 ml ORAL PARENTERAL MEDICATIONS: LIQUID
1 ml= 1 cc (cubic centimeter) desired dose
x Dilution= Quantity of Drug
Length 1 km (kilometer)=1000 m (meter) stock dose
1 meter= 100 cm (centimeter) D/S x dilution or vehicle= Q
1cm= 10 mm(millimeter) Example: The physician ordered Ampicilin (Ampicin) 200 mg
to a patient with upper respiratory infection. nAmpicin is
NOTE: 1kg=2.2 lb(pounds) available at 500 mg. The nurse is advised to dilute it with 3ml
To convert kg to lb, you have to multiply the given number by distilled water. Compute for the amount to be given.
2.2 D/S x Dilution=Q
15 kg=___ 15x2.2= 33lb 200mg/500mg x 3ml= 0.4 x 3ml= 1.2 ml
To convert lb to kg, you have to divide the given number by Order: Valproic acid oral solution PO 15 mg per kg per day in
2.2 two divided doses for a pediatric patient who weights 66lb.
33lb =___ 33÷2.2= 15 kg Available:Valproic acid oral solution 250mg/5ml
Conversion within the Metric system a.how many kilograms does the child weigh?
The easiest way to convert larger units to smaller unit is to 66 lb ÷ 2.2= 30 kg
move the decimal point the apt numbers of spaces (3) to the
RIGHT b. how many milligrams per day should the child receive?
1g= 1.000 =1000mg 15 mg x 30 kg= 450mg/day
0.5g= 0.500=500mg c. how many milligrams per dose should the child receive?
450 mg ÷ 2= 225mg/dose d/c- discontinue
d. how many milliliters per dose should the child receive? Dx- diagnosis
D elix- elixir
x dilution= 225 ÷ 250 x 5 = 4.5 ml
S ECG- electrocardium
IV FLUID FLOW RATE Eq- equivalent
volume ∈ml∨cc x gtt factor ENT- eye, ear, nose
A.gtts/min =
¿ of hours x 60 minutes fl- fluid
gtt factor= 15 macrodrip (adults) FBS- fasting blood sugar
ugtts = 60 microdrip (children)
FOB- flat on bed
volume ∈cc
B. cc/hr = gtt- drop
¿ of hours
gr- grain
Example: The physician order 600 ml of D5LR to a patient to
be consumed for 2 hours in a standard macrodrip system. HD- high dose
Compute for drops/min. hs- at bedtime
vol∈cc x drop factor ID- intradermal
gtts/min =
¿ of hrs x 60 IV- intravenous
600 x 15 IM- intramuscular
= 75 gtts/min
2 x 60 INH- isoniazid
COMMON ABBREVIATIONS IU- international units
a- Before inj- injection
aa- of each I and O- intake and output
ac- before meals I an D- incision and drainage
amp- ampule/ampoule KCI- potassium chloride
ASA- aspirin KVO- keep vein open
au- both ears KUB- kidney, ureter, bladder
alt dieb- every other day MAOI- monoamine oxidase inhibitor
ad lib- as much as desired mEq- milliequivalent
abd- abdomen mmHg- millimeters of mercury
BP- Blood Pressure mmol- millimote
BRP- Bathroom privilege MMR- measles, mumps, rubella vaccine
c-with N/V- nausea and vomiting
C- 100 NaCl- sodium chloride
cap- capsule neb- nebulizer
cmpd- compound NPO- nothing per orem
cr- cream N/S- normal saline
CC- Chief Complaints NTG- nitroglycerin
CVA- Cerebrovascular accident OD- right eye
CCU- Coronary care unit OS- left eye
CHF- Congestive Heart Failure OU- both eyes
C/O- complains of OPV- oral polio vaccine
dx- diagnosis PABA- para-aminobenzoic acid
DS- double strength pc- after meals
PO- per os (mouth)
prep- preparation
post-post operative
q- every
qs- every shift
Rx- prescription
ROD- resident on duty
RBS- random blood sugar
s- without
Sig- directions
ss- one half
supp- suppository
susp- suspension
sx- symptoms
syr- syrup
tab- tablet
tx- treatment
t, tsp- teaspoon
T, tbsp- tablespoon
TPN- total parenteral nutrition
Ung, ung- ointment
ug- microgram
vag- vaginally
Vit- vitamin