Chapter 5

Unit, Percentage, Milliequivalent, Ratio,

and Household Measures

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 International Units

• Measure drug’s action.

– Not weight
• The word “units” is not abbreviated.
• Previously accepted abbreviation (U) is
now on Joint Commission “Do Not Use”
list.
t r ue ?
r ea ll y
Is t h at
(continues)
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 International Units (cont’d)

• Written using Arabic numbers followed by

space and word “unit”.
• Commas not used unless at least five digits.
• For example, 6 units, 1000 units, 250,000
units.

(continues)

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 International Units (cont’d)

• Common medications are expressed in units.

– For example, insulin and heparin

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 Percentage Measurements

• Indicate parts per hundred

• Greater the percentage, stronger the
solution

(continues)
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Percentage Measurements (cont’d)

• Used primarily in intravenous (IV)

solutions
• Also used in topical, ophthalmic, and optic
solutions
– For skin, eyes, and ears

(continues)
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Percentage Measurements (cont’d)

• In solutions, represent number of grams of

drug per 100 milliliters of solution.
– For example, 100 mL of 5% solution contains 5 g of
drug.
– For example, 100 mL of a 2.5% solution contains 2.5 g
of drug.

(continues)

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Percentage Measurements (cont’d)

• Dextrose and sodium chloride

– Most common percentage dosages
– Dextrose dosages written as whole number
• For example, 5% dextrose in water (D5W)
– Sodium chloride dosages written as decimal fraction
• For example, 0.45% sodium chloride

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 Milliequivalent (mEq)
Measurements
• Expression of number of grams of drug in
1 mL of normal solution

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 mEq Dosages

• Written using Arabic numbers followed by

space and abbreviation mEq

(continues)

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 mEq Dosages (cont’d)

• Used in variety of oral and IV solutions

– For example, potassium chloride most commonly used
• 20 milliequivalents written as 20 mEq KCl

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 Ratio Measures

• Strengths primarily used to describe

solutions.
• Written using Arabic numbers followed by
space, colon, space, and another Arabic
number.
• Solution of 1:100 contains one part drug to
100 parts solution.
(continues)

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 Ratio Measures (cont’d)

• Represent parts of drug per parts of solution.

• A solution that is 1 part drug in 2 parts
solution would be written 1:2.
• The less solution a drug is dissolved in, the
stronger the solution.

(continues)

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 Ratio Measures (cont’d)

• Ratio strengths are always expressed in

their simplest terms.
– For example, 2:10 would be incorrect.
• It must be expressed as 1:5.

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 Household Measures

• One of the oldest drug measurement

systems
• Volume measurements include ounce,
tablespoon, teaspoon, and drop

(continues)

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 Household Measures (cont’d)

• Drop is integral part of small volume

medication preparation
– Including those for eye, ear, and nose
• Drop used almost exclusively with
medications with attached dropper

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Chapter 5 Apothecary and
Household Systems
1 GALLON Volume
Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
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Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
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Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
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1Quart
Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
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1Quart
Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
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1Quart 1Pint
Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
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1Quart 1Pint
Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1Quart 1Pint
Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1Quart 1Pint

1 Cup
Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1Quart 1Pint

1 Cup
Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1Quart 1Pint

1 Cup
Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1Quart 1Pint
1 ounce
1 Cup
Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1Quart 1Pint
1 ounce

1 Cup 1 Ta
bles
p oo
n
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c

 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c

1 qt 2 pts 4c
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c

1 qt 2 pts 4c
1 pt 2c
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c

1 qt 2 pts 4c
1 pt 2c
1c
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c

1 qt 2 pts 4c
1 pt 2c
1c 8 oz
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c

1 qt 2 pts 4c
1 pt 2c
1c 8 oz
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c

1 qt 2 pts 4c
1 pt 2c 16 oz
1c 8 oz
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c

1 qt 2 pts 4c 32 oz
1 pt 2c 16 oz
1c 8 oz
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c 128 oz

1 qt 2 pts 4c 32 oz
1 pt 2c 16 oz
1c 8 oz
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c 128 oz

1 qt 2 pts 4c 32 oz
1 pt 2c 16 oz
1c 8 oz
1 oz 30 mL
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c 128 oz

1 qt 2 pts 4c 32 oz
1 pt 2c 16 oz
1c 8 oz 240 mL
1 oz 30 mL
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c 128 oz

1 qt 2 pts 4c 32 oz
1 pt 2c 16 oz 480 mL
1c 8 oz 240 mL
1 oz 30 mL
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c 128 oz

1 qt 2 pts 4c 32 oz 960 mL
1 pt 2c 16 oz 480 mL
1c 8 oz 240 mL
1 oz 30 mL
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c 128 oz 3 840 mL

1 qt 2 pts 4c 32 oz 960 mL
1 pt 2c 16 oz 480 mL
1c 8 oz 240 mL
1 oz 30 mL
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c 128 oz 3 840 mL

1 qt 2 pts 4c 32 oz 960 mL
1 pt 2c 16 oz 480 mL
1c 8 oz 240 mL
1 oz 30 mL
1 Tablespoon Tbsp
1 teaspoon tsp
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c 128 oz 3 840 mL

1 qt 2 pts 4c 32 oz 960 mL
1 pt 2c 16 oz 480 mL
1c 8 oz 240 mL
1 oz 30 mL
1 Tablespoon 15 mL
1 teaspoon
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c 128 oz 3 840 mL

1 qt 2 pts 4c 32 oz 960 mL
1 pt 2c 16 oz 480 mL
1c 8 oz 240 mL
1 oz 30 mL
1 Tablespoon
1 teaspoon 5 mL
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c 128 oz 3 840 mL

1 qt 2 pts 4c 32 oz 960 mL
1 pt 2c 16 oz 480 mL
1c 8 oz 240 mL
1 oz 30 mL
1 Tablespoon (Tbsp) 15 mL
1 teaspoon (tsp) 5 mL
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c 128 oz 3 840 mL

1 qt 2 pts 4c 32 oz 960 mL
1 pt 2c 16 oz 480 mL
1c 8 oz 240 mL
1 oz 2 Tbsp 30 mL
1 Tablespoon 15 mL
1 teaspoon 5 mL
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c 128 oz 3 840 mL

1 qt 2 pts 4c 32 oz 960 mL
1 pt 2c 16 oz 480 mL
1c 8 oz 16 Tbsp 240 mL
1 oz 2 Tbsp 30 mL
1 Tablespoon 15 mL
1 teaspoon 5 mL
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c 128 oz 3 840 mL

1 qt 2 pts 4c 32 oz 960 mL
1 pt 2c 16 oz 32 Tbsp 480 mL
1c 8 oz 16 Tbsp 240 mL
1 oz 2 Tbsp 30 mL
1 Tablespoon 15 mL
1 teaspoon 5 mL
 Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Volume

1 gal 4 qts 8 pts 16 c 128 oz 3 840 mL

1 qt 2 pts 4c 32 oz 64 Tbsp 960 mL
1 pt 2c 16 oz 32 Tbsp 480 mL
1c 8 oz 16 Tbsp 240 mL
1 oz 2 Tbsp 30 mL
1 Tablespoon 15 mL
1 teaspoon 5 mL
 Household/Metric Equivalents

Household Abbreviation Metric

1 Ounce oz 30 mL
1 Tablespoon tbsp 15 mL
1 Teaspoon tsp 5 mL
1 Cup c 8 oz

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Chapter 5 Apothecary and Household Systems
Weight
● Pounds lb
● Ounces oz
● 1kg = 2.2 lb

● 1 lb = 16 oz

● 1 lb
16 oz

● 16 oz
1 lb
I in = 2.54 cm
 Apothecary Measures
• How many mg are in 1 capsule?

• How many mg are in the whole bottle?

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 Apothecary Measures
What would be
a modern equivalent
of minims?

How many mL
are in 1 softgel?

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Copyright © 2010 Pearson Education, Inc.
 Apothecary Measures

• Basically obsolete
• Only measure still seen is grain (gr)
– Seldom used
– Equivalent to 60 mg in metric system

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 Apothecary System
Grain: measures weight and is written gr i.

Ounce: measures liquid amounts and is written

like a cursive ろ but with an extra hump on top
亏

Dram: Used to measure smaller amounts of liquid

medicine. It is written just like a cursive ろ .

Minim: Tiny amount of liquid medicine. A minim

equals a drop. It is written like a cursive m and
sometimes it has a long tail.
Apothecary System - Volume

1 dram = 4 mL

1 ounce = 30 mL

15 minims = 1 mL
Apothecary System - Weight

1 grain =
Apothecary System - Weight

1 grain = 60 mg

1 grain= 65 mg

15 grains = 1 g
Apothecary System - Weight

1 grain = 60 mg

1 grain= 65 mg (Aspirin, Tylenol)

15 grains = 1 g (For large quantities)

Apothecary System - Weight
Apothecary System - Weight
Apothecary System - Weight
Apothecary System - Weight
Apothecary System - Weight
Apothecary System - Weight
Apothecary System - Weight
Apothecary System - Weight
Apothecary System - Weight
 Apothecary System - Weight
Milligrams 81 325 500 650
Number of Grains 1.25 5 7.7 10