Commonly Used Conversions and Medical Vocabulary

Commonly Used Conversions

Metric System Equivalents

  • 1.1 milligram (mg) = 1000 micrograms (mcg)
  • 1 gram (g) = 1000 milligrams (mg)
  • 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lbs)
  • 1 liter (L) = 1000 milliliters (mL)
  • 1 Unit = 1000 milliunits (mU)

Apothecary System Equivalents

  • 1 grain (gr) = 60 or 65 milligrams (mg)
  • 5 grains (gr) = 325 milligrams (mg)
  • 15 grains (gr) = 1000 milligrams (mg)

Household System (Volume) Equivalents

  • 1 teaspoon (t or tsp) = 5 milliliters (mL)
  • 1 tablespoon (T or Tbsp) = 3 teaspoons (t or tsp) or 15 mL
  • 1 fluid ounce (oz) = 2 tablespoons (T or Tbsp) or 30 mL
  • 1 cup (C) = 8 fluid ounces (oz) or 240 mL
  • 1 pint (pt) = 16 fluid ounces (oz) or 480 mL
  • 1 quart (qt) = 2 pints (pt) or 32 fluid ounces (oz)

Household System (Weight) Equivalents

  • 1 pound (lb) = 16 ounces (oz)
  • 2.2 pounds (lbs) = 1 kilogram (kg)

Other Measurements

  • 1 inch (in) = 2.54 centimeters (cm)

References

  • Locmoictor M. (2009) Math Basics for the Health Care Professional. Upper Saddle River, NJ.

Vocabulary Words

Week 2 Introduction

Focus: Muscular Skeletal System & Positions/Directions/Locations
Word Roots
  • Osse/o: Bone
    • Example: Osseology (Study of the structure and function of bones)
    • Meaning: Osteous (composed of or resembling bone)
  • Oste/o: Bone
  • Myello: Bone Marrow
    • Example: Multiple myeloma (cancer that causes overgrowth of plasma cells in the bone marrow)
  • Muscullo/Mylo: Muscle
    • Example: Intramuscular (located or occurring within a muscle)
  • Tendin/o: Tendon (connective tissue attaching muscle to bone)
    • Example: Tendinopathy (tendon disorder that results in pain, swelling and impaired function)
  • Edema: Swelling caused by fluid buildup in tissues
    • Explanation: Edema is commonly seen in the legs, feet or hands

Medical Terminology Suffixes

  • -itis: The act of or process of inflammation
    • Example: Arthritis (inflammation of the joints)
  • -logy: The study of
    • Example: Pathology (the study of disease)
  • -ion: Indicates an action or result
  • -scope: An instrument used for viewing
    • Example: Bronchoscope (instrument used to view the airways and lungs)
  • -scopy: Use of an instrument for viewing
    • Example: Colonscopy (viewing the rectum and colon)
  • -centesis: Puncture to remove fluid
    • Example: Paracentesis (puncture of abdomen to remove fluid from the peritoneal cavity)
  • -ectomy: Removal of
    • Example: Nephrectomy (surgical removal of a kidney)
  • -ostomy: Surgical creation of an opening
    • Example: Tracheostomy (surgical opening made through the neck into the trachea)
  • -otomy: Incision
    • Example: Laparotomy (surgical incision into the abdomen)
  • -pexy: Surgical fixation (holding something in the correct anatomical position)
    • Example: Hysteropopexy (surgical fixation of a prolapsed uterus)
  • -plasty: Surgical repair or reconstruction
    • Example: Arthroplasty (surgical repair or replacement of a joint)
  • -tripsy: Crush, break up
    • Example: Lithotripsy (medical procedure that uses shock waves to break up stones in the kidney, ureter, or gallbladder)

Medical Terminology Prefixes

Prefix Meanings
  • Dia-: Through or apart
    • Example: Diagnosis (identification of a disease or condition)
  • Homeo-: Same, steady or unchanging
    • Example: Homeostasis (maintain stable internal conditions)
  • Ab-: Away from
  • Ad-: Towards
  • Ante-: Before
  • Medi/o: Middle
  • Mid-: Middle
  • Inter-: Between
  • Post-: Behind, after
  • Re-: Back (or again)
  • Retro-: Behind, backward
Examples of Prefix Usage
  • Abduction: Movement of a limb away from the midline of the body
  • Adduction: Movement of a limb towards the midline of the body
  • Antepartum: Before birth
  • Mediastinum: Area in the middle of the chest between the two lungs
  • Midclavicular line: Imaginary line passing vertically through the middle of the clavicle
  • Intercostal: Space between ribs
  • Post-operative: After a surgical procedure
  • Reflux: Backflow of gastric content into the esophagus
  • Retroperitoneal cavity: Space behind the abdominal/peritoneal cavity

Commonly Used Medical Abbreviations

  • subcut, subcu, subQ, SQ: Subcutaneous
  • SOB: Shortness of Breath
  • TID: Three times daily
  • QID: Four times daily
  • STAT: Immediately
  • NPO: Nothing by mouth
  • pc: After meals
  • PO: By mouth, orally
  • PRN: When necessary, as needed
  • QHS: At bedtime
  • IM: Intramuscular
  • IV: Intravenous
  • IVPB: Intravenous piggyback
  • ac: Before meals
  • ad lib: As desired
  • BID: Twice daily
  • cap: Capsule

References

  • Rasmussen University School of Nursing Study Material.