Medical Metric Conversions and Medication Safety Guidelines

Meter (m)

Base unit of length in the metric system.

Gram (g)

Base unit of weight/mass in the metric system.

Liter (L)

Base unit of fluid volume in the metric system.

1 kg

Equals 2.2 lb.

Pounds to kilograms

Divide by 2.2.

Kilograms to pounds

Multiply by 2.2.

1 g

Equals 1,000 mg.

1 mg

Equals 1,000 mcg.

1 mcg

Equals 1,000 ng.

1 L

Equals 1,000 mL.

1 tsp

Equals 5 mL.

1 Tbsp

Equals 15 mL.

1 oz

Equals 30 mL.

1 cup

Equals 240 mL.

Rounding rule

5 or more = round up; 4 or less = leave it.

Leading zero

Use a zero before decimals less than 1 (0.5 mg).

Trailing zero

Do NOT use a zero after a whole number (5 mg, not 5.0 mg).

Percent

Means out of 100.

Percent to decimal

Move the decimal 2 places to the left.

Intake

Anything that goes INTO the patient.

Examples of intake

Water, juice, milk, ice chips, IV fluids, tube feedings, liquid medications.

Output

Anything that comes OUT of the patient.

Examples of output

Urine, vomit, liquid stool, drainage, NG tube drainage.

I&O calculation

Convert all measurements to mL before adding.

I&O time frame

Pay attention to whether the question asks for a shift or 24-hour total.

Right Patient

Give the medication to the correct patient.

Right Medication

Give the medication that was ordered.

Right Dose

Give the correct amount.

Right Route

Give the medication by the correct route.

Right Time

Give the medication at the correct time.

Two patient identifiers

Use 2 identifiers, such as name and date of birth.

Room number

NOT an acceptable patient identifier.

Medication safety

If something is unclear or unsafe, stop and verify before giving it.

Patient questions medication

Stop and verify the medication before giving it.

Omission error

Medication that should have been given was not given.

Commission error

Medication was given incorrectly.

Routine order

Medication given on a regular schedule.

PRN order

Medication given as needed.

STAT order

Medication given immediately.

One-Time order

Medication given one time only.

Generic name

Official/non-brand name of a medication.

Trade name

Brand name of a medication.

Medication label

Check medication name, strength, dose, route, expiration, and other required information.

Complete medication order

Contains enough information to safely administer the medication.

Incomplete medication order

Missing important information needed to safely give the medication.

Incomplete order

Clarify the order before giving the medication.

PO

By mouth.

IV

Intravenous.

IM

Intramuscular.

SubQ/SQ

Subcutaneous.

Topical

Applied to the skin.

Sublingual

Under the tongue.

Route considerations

Assess whether the patient can safely receive the medication by the ordered route.

Medication administration

Read the entire medication order and label carefully.

Patient safety

Always comes first.

If medication looks wrong

Stop and verify.

If medication order is unclear

Do not guess; clarify it.

If patient says they do not recognize medication

Stop and verify before giving it.

Medication rights beyond the basic 5

Right documentation, right reason, right response, and right to refuse.

Conversion tip

Moving from a larger metric unit to a smaller unit means multiply.

2 g to mg

Equals 2,000 mg.

5,000 mg to g

Equals 5 g.

3 mg to mcg

Equals 3,000 mcg.

2 L to mL

Equals 2,000 mL.

3 oz to mL

Equals 90 mL.

4 tsp to mL

Equals 20 mL.

44 lb to kg

Equals 20 kg.

60 kg to lb

Equals 132 lb.