1


Pharmacy measurements come from different regions of the world

The four most common types of calculation systems are:

*
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Household measurements
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*
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Avoirdupois system
2


Used throughout pharmacy because of its accuracy

Metric units include:

Milliliters, cubic centimeters, and * for volume

Kilograms, grams, milligrams, and micrograms for *

Millimeters and meters for *
3

(Continued)
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There is a * -unit difference between each measurement
Most Common Metric Measurements kg______g________mg________mcg
1000x 1000x 1000x
4

(Continued)
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The use of millimeters is reserved for drug calculations based on *
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Knowing the basics for volume and weight conversions is adequate
5

(Continued)

Metric measurements



* and * can be used interchangeably
Dry weights use mcg, mg, g, and kg
Liquid volumes use ml and L
6


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The most common measurement system still used in the United States is the *
Measurements come in a variety of units




Volume refers to liquids
Weight refers to *
Length refers to distance
Most common measurement is the *
7

Household
Measurements
(Volume)
1 teaspoon
1 tablespoon
1 cup
1 pint
1 quart
Metric
(Volume)
5 ml or cc*
15 ml or cc
240 ml or cc
480 ml or cc
960 ml or cc
Household
1 teaspoon
3 teaspoons
8 ounces
2 cups
4 cups
1 gallon 3840 ml or cc or 3.84 L
16 cups
*Remember that 1 ml and 1 cc contain the same amount of liquid.
8

Oral cups show equivalent volumes between household to metric and household to apothecary.
9


Metric system slide




When converting metric measurements from one unit to another you need to move the decimal either to the right or to the left
All changes of the metric system involve either dividing or multiplying *
Each unit is a multiple of 1000
Remember the difference between 1 kg, 1 g, 1 mg, and 1 mcg is 1000
10

(Continued)

Method for determining metric conversions
Left
Largest
Right
Smallest
1________1_______1_________1
1 kg 1000 g 1,000,000 mg 1,000,000,000mcg
11

(Continued)

Decimals are not placed at the end of a number unless there is a fraction, such as 1.1 kg

Decimals and periods have been the * of mistakes in pharmacies
12


Because all manufacturers provide proper dosing regimens based on * , it is necessary to convert pounds into kilograms

There are 2.2 pounds per kilogram

16 ounces = 1 lb 2.2 pounds = 1 kg

To determine how many kg in 1 lb, divide

To determine how many lbs in 1 kg, multiply
13

Metric
1 meter
0.914 meter
0.3048 meters
2.54 cm
Household/English
39.372 in / 3.281 ft
3 feet / 1 yard
12 inches / foot
1 inch
14


The number system commonly used in the United States is the * system, consisting of numbers 1, 2, 3, and so forth

Many physicians use * to indicate the quantity of tablets or capsules to be filled or to order the strength of medication
15

(Continued)

When working with Roman numerals, remember that if a larger number is placed in front of a smaller one, you must add both to determine the value

However, if a smaller number is placed before a larger number, then you must *
16


XIV =

XC =

CIV =

XL =

VIII =

C =

IV =
18



In hospital settings, * , also known as military time, is used exclusively
Orders are written 24 hours a day and all medical-related caretakers must understand exactly when the order was written and when the medication or treatment is to take place
19

(Cont’d)

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The system is based on 100
Starting with the first hour of the day, the clock begins at 0100 (1 AM) through 2400 or 12 midnight
By using this system there is never any question as to when an order was written or which order came first
*

Grab a white board and a marker!
21

A mother was told to give her 3 year old a ¼ cup of water every 4 hours. In
24 hours she will give the child ___
A. 6 fluid ounces
B. 8 fluid ounces
C. 10 fluid ounces
D. 12 fluid ounces
22

D – 12 fluid ounces
24 hours / every 4 hours = 6 doses
6 doses x ¼ c = 1 ½ cups total
1 c = 8 oz
1.5c x 8 oz = 12 fluid ounces
23

You assist a patient in wrapping an ace bandage around the leg. You use 30 cm. of ace bandage. How many inches did you use?
A. 12 inches
B. 75 inches
C. 914.4 inches
D. 1000 inches
24

A = 12 inches
1 inch = 2.54 cm
30 cm / 2.54 = 11.81 inches
25


How many days will an 8-ounce bottle of medication last, if an adult takes the maximum dose of 2 tsp. every 8 hours?
A. 8 days
B. 10 days
C. 15 days
D. 30 days
26

A – 8 days


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


1 oz = 30 ml, 5 ml = 1 tsp
8 oz x 30ml = 240 ml
240 ml / 5 ml = 48 tsp in the bottle
48 tsp in bottle / 2 tsp dose = 24 doses
Dose every 8 hours / 24 hrs in a day = 3 doses per day
24 doses / 3 doses per day = 8 days
27

The doctor ordered 0.25 g. of a medication for the patient. The medication comes in 125 mg per 5 cc's. You should give _____.
A. 2½ cc
B. 5 cc
C. 7½ cc
D. 10 cc
28

D = 10cc
1g = 1000mg
0.25g x 1000mg = 250mg
250mg / 125mg = 2mg
5cc’s per every 125mg
2mg x 5cc’s = 10cc
29

A medical records clerk is asked to collect records regarding cancer patients. It is found that a ¼ of the records relate to breast cancer. There are a total of
20,920 records. How many are related to breast cancer?
A. 83,680
B. 10,460
C. 5,230
D. 2,660
30

C = 5,230 records
20, 920 / 4 = 5,230
31

Your friend is 65" tall. This is equal to
A. 0.65 meters
B. 1.625 meters
C. 6.50 meters
D. 16.25 meters
32

B = 1.625 meters
1 meter = 1000mm = 100cm
10 mm = 1cm
2.54cm = 1 inch
65 inches x 2.54cm = 165.1 cm
165.1cm / 100cm = 1.651 m
33

You take a patient's temperature and find it is 102 ° F. You are to record the temperature as
A. 24.66
° C
B. 34.22
° C
C. 38.89
° C
D. 70 ° C
34

C = 38.89  C
Formula:  C = (  F – 32)5 / 9
102  F – 32 = 70
70 x 5 = 350
350 / 9 = 38.89
 C
35

You are to use a needle, 3 inches long, to give an injection. How many mm. is this?
A. 7.5 mm.
B. 25.0 mm.
C. 75.0 mm.
D. 100.0 mm.
36

C = 75.0 mm
1 cm = 10 mm
3in x 2.54 cm = 7.62 cm
7.62 cm x 10mm = 76.2mm
* A 75mm needle is a standard size*
37

Marjorie has joined Weight Watchers. She would like to lose 12 kg in 30 days. On the average, how many pounds per day will
Marjorie lose to meet her goal?
A. 0.44 lbs.
B. 0.88 lbs.
C. 1.1 lbs.
D. 2.5 lbs.
38

B = 0.88 lbs.
1kg = 2.2 lbs.
12kg x 2.2 lbs = 26.4 lbs.
26.4 lbs / 30 days = 0.88 lbs.
39

You are to administer meds to a patient at 2030 military time. What time is that?
A. 8:30am
B. 10:30am
C. 12:30pm
D. 8:30pm
40

D = 8:30 pm
41