1 Medication Measurement and Conversion Free Online FlashCards

What do kilo-, milli-, and micro- mean?

Kilo- means $1{,}000$, milli- means $\frac{1}{1{,}000}$, and micro- means $\frac{1}{1{,}000{,}000}$.

How many milligrams are in one gram?

$1\text{ g}=1{,}000\text{ mg}$. Converting grams to milligrams makes the numerical value larger.

How many micrograms are in one milligram?

$1\text{ mg}=1{,}000\text{ mcg}$. Converting milligrams to micrograms makes the numerical value larger.

How many milliliters are in one liter?

$1\text{ L}=1{,}000\text{ mL}$.

What is the approximate metric equivalent of one U.S. teaspoon?

One U.S. teaspoon is approximately $5\text{ mL}$. This is a rounded learning equivalent.

What is one U.S. tablespoon approximately equivalent to?

One U.S. tablespoon is approximately $15\text{ mL}$, or $3$ teaspoons.

What is the difference between a fluid ounce and an ounce by weight?

A fluid ounce measures volume; an ounce by weight measures mass. They are not interchangeable.

How should a conversion factor be arranged?

Arrange a conversion factor so the unwanted unit appears in both numerator and denominator and cancels, leaving the desired unit.

When do you multiply or divide in metric conversions?

Multiply when converting a larger metric unit to a smaller one; divide when converting a smaller unit to a larger one.

How do you convert a fraction to a decimal?

Divide the numerator by the denominator: $\frac{3}{4}=3\div4=0.75$.

What decimal notation practices help prevent medication errors?

Write a leading zero for values below one, such as $0.5$, and avoid a trailing zero, such as writing $5\text{ mg}$ instead of $5.0\text{ mg}$.

What is the difference between a ratio and a proportion?

A ratio compares two quantities; a proportion states that two ratios are equal.