Weights and Measures
Nurses Assistant Unit 7
Common Equivalencies



Metric Weight:

1kg=2.2lbs
Metric Height:

1cm=.39inches

1inch=2.5cm
Medical Weights and Measures:

1cc= 1ml

1ounce= 30cc

1teaspoon= 5ml

1cup=8 ounces= 240ml

1pint=16 ounces= 500ml

1quart=32ounces= 1000cc

1liter= 1000ml
Weights and Measures used in the average
U.S household



Weight is measured in ounces (oz) and
pounds (lbs)
Length is measured in inches, feet, and
yards
Liquid volume is measured in fluid ounces,
pints, quarts, and gallons
Liquid Measuring Equipment

Graduate Cylinders
 Cylinders
are marked with lines
and numbers
 Measurements for cylinders are
marked in ounces and (cc’s)
 Other equipment used,
urinals,med cups,hats,specimen
cups.
Procedure for Measuring
Liquid Volume





Pour liquid into graduate container
Place on flat surface
Read at eye level
Use measurements at lowest level of
liquid surface
Record measurements using correct
abbreviations for unit measurement
Procedure for Measuring Length/
Height

We can use a measuring tape to measure
the heights of residents who are
contracted, stooped, or in bed
 Measure in segments, while marking the
sheet with a pencil
 Add all measurements together to find a
total
Procedure for Measuring Length/
Height Cont…

Measuring a residents Ht using an upright scale
 Assist the resident to remove their slippers
 Place a paper towel on the scale for infection control
purposes
 Assist the resident to stand on the scale facing away
 Lower the height measuring rod until it rests on the
residents head
 Record their Ht, reading is made at the moveable
point using centimeters.You DO NOT need to
convert!
 Assist the resident off of the platform
Procedure for Measuring
Weight






Make sure the scale is balanced at
zero
Place paper towel on the scale
Remove residents slippers and help
resident to step onto the scale facing
forward
Read the scale when in balance to
the nearest quarter pound (or tenth
of a kilogram) and record
Help the resident off of the scale
Return and clean equipment
Procedure for Measuring
Weight Cont…
Make sure to weigh residents at
the same time everyday for
accuracy
 Types of scales
Wheelchair scale
Mechanical lift (hoyer) scale
Bed scale

Military Time




Military time is a concise method of expressing time
used by the military, emergency services, hospitals,
and other entities
Only uses four digits and no colons
Does not use AM or PM
When converting from military time to regular time
and vice versa, the minutes and seconds do not
change
Military Time Cont…






Examples:
 3:00AM = 0300
 3:30PM = 1530
 12:00AM = 2400 or 0000
 12:00PM = 1200
What time do you go to sleep?
Hint: The only way you are going to learn this is
sheer memorization or adding/subtracting from
1200
For example 3pm + 12=15 now just add the
minutes…1500 11:15pm+12=23 2315
6am=simply insert zeros 0600
10am=just simply remove colon=1000