Metric International System

1. Metric International System Chapter 4 Math for Meds 8th Edition Dosages and Solutions

2. Basic Unit of the Metric System • Length ___________ Meters • Volume __________ liters • Weight ___________ grams

3. Metric Weights Used in Medicine • kg = kilogram • g = gram • mg = milligram • mcg = microgram

4. Volume used in Medicine • L = liter • mL = milliliter

5. Common Measures • 1 kg = 1000 grams • 1 g = 1000 mg • 1 mg = 1000 mcg • 1L = 1000 mL or cc

6. Practice Problems • May be done in groups • Math for Meds • Do a quick review of chapter on the CD provided in the text book • Quiz next week will be on similar problems

7. Conversion Between Metric / SI units • In the clinical area you will be converting units of measure within the metric system • g to mg • mg to mcg

8. Moving the Decimal Point • Conversion between units is accomplished by moving the decimal point. • Each unit of measure differs from the next by 1,000. • There are three zeroes in a 1,000 so the decimal point moves three places the same as the number of zeroes in a 1,000

9. Moving from larger to smaller in grams. • Gram to milligrams to micrograms • 1 gram = 1,000 mg • 1 mg = 1,000 mcg • Example 0.5 g = _______ mg

10. Moving from larger to smaller in liters • 1 liter = 1,000 mL • 1 ml = 1 cc • Examples = 2.5 L = _______ ml

11. Rules to Remember • Fractional dosages in the metric system must be written with a zero in front of the decimal point. • If an answer seems unusually large or small question it. • Conversion between g, mg and mcg units of metric dosages require moving the decimal point three places

12. Conversion Between Metric Units • Practice problems may do in groups • Quiz yourself with practice problems on CD • Quiz # 2

13. Conversions • May be done in groups • Math for Meds • Do a quick review of chapter on the CD provided in the text book • Quiz next week on similar problems