Metric Units and Conversions - Unitec

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METRIC UNIT CONVERSIONS You may need to do metric unit conversions with drug calculations or with rates. In both cases you need to know : What metric unit you have initially and which unit you want to convert to Whether you are converting from a Bigger unit (B) to a Smaller unit (S) or the other way round How many of the smaller units make up the bigger unit If converting from a Bigger unit to a Smaller unit, you are multiplying so move the decimal point to the Right by how many zeroes there are in the multiplier, i.e. BSR If converting from a Smaller unit to a Bigger unit, you are dividing so move the decimal point to the Left by how many zeroes there are in the divisor, i.e. SBL EXAMPLES 1. How many micrograms (mcg) in 2.8 mg? Remember mcg is the same as g converting from mg to mcg bigger to smaller so BSR 1 mg = 1000 mcg so move decimal point three places to the right (since 1000 has three zeroes) 2.8 mg = 2800. g which is 2800 g 2. 965 dL is equivalent to how many mL? converting from dL to mL bigger to smaller so BSR 1 dL = 100 mL so move the decimal point two places to the right 965 dL = 965. dL = 96500. mL which is 96500 mL 3. How many grams in 750 g ? converting mcg to g smaller to bigger so SBL 1g = 1,000,000 mcg so move the decimal point six places to the left 750 mcg = 750. mcg = .000750 g Unitec: H:\Te Puna Ako Learning Centre\Maths and Statistics Resources\updated\Metric Units.doc
METRIC CONVERSIONS IN RATES 4. Convert 6.6 L/min to mL/min. (Here you have to convert 6.6 L to mL) converting from L to mL bigger to smaller so BSR 1 L = 1000 mL so move decimal point three places to the right 6.6 L = 6600. mL = 6600 mL So 6.6 L/min = 6600 mL/min. 5. Change 350 mcg/dL into mg/dL. (You have to convert 350 mcg to mg) converting from mcg to mg smaller to bigger so SBL 1 mg = 1000 mcg so move the decimal point three places to the left 350 mcg = 350. mcg = .350 mg (which can be written as 0.35 mg) So 350 mcg/dL = 0.35 mg/dL METRIC CONVERSIONS IN DRUG CALCULATIONS It is easier to convert bigger units to smaller units. 6. 0.5 mg of Neocytamen is prescribed. 250 mcg/mL is available… convert 0.5 mg to mcg bigger to smaller so BSR 1 mg = 1000 mcg so move the decimal point three places to the right 0.5 mg = 0 500. mcg = 500 mcg. You can now think of the problem as: “ 500 mcg of Neocytamen is prescribed. 250 mcg/mL is available…” 7. Lasix 1 g is prescribed. 20 mg/mL is available… convert 1 g to mg bigger to smaller so BSR 1 g = 1000 mg so move the decimal point three places to the right 1. g = 1 000. mg. The problem now becomes: “ Laxin 1000 mg is prescribed. 20 mg/mL is available…” Unitec: H:\Te Puna Ako Learning Centre\Maths and Statistics Resources\updated\Metric Units.doc
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Metric Units and Conversions - Unitec

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