Stupid Question: Simple Conversion

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2012

Know your conversion tables......

The Short List 1 cup © = 8 ounces (oz)

1 dram (dr) = 60 grains (gr)

1 dram (fl dr) = 60 minims

1 gallon (gal) = 4 quarts (qt)

1 glass = 8 ounces (oz)

1 grain (gr) = 64.8 milligrams (mg)

1 gram (g) = 15.43 grains (gr)

1 inch (in) = 2.54 centimeters (cm)

1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lb)

1 liter (L) = 1.057 quarts (qt)

1 milliliter (mL) = 16.23 minims

1 minim = 1 drop (gt)

1 ounce (oz) = 2 tablespoons (tbsp)

1 ounce (oz) = 8 drams (dr)

1 ounce (fl oz) = 29.57 milliliters (mL)

1 pint (pt) = 16 ounces (oz)

1 pound (lb) = 16 ounces (oz)

1 quart (qt) = 0.946 liters (L)

1 quart (qt) = 2 pints (pt)

1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 3 teaspoons (tsp)

1 teacup = 6 ounces (oz)

1 teaspoon (tsp) = 4.93 mL

The Long list

1 central = 45,359 grams (g)

1 centimeter (cm) = 10 millimeters (mm)

1 cubic centimeter (cc) = 1 milliliter (mL)

1 cup © = 8 ounces (oz)

1 drachm = 3.55 milliliter (mL)

1 dram (dr) = 60 grains (gr)

1 dram (fl dr) = 60 minims

1 gallon (gal) = 4 quarts (qt)

1 gill = 4 ounces (oz)

1 glass = 8 ounces (oz)

1 grain (gr) = 64.8 milligrams (mg)

1 gram (g) = 1,000 milligrams (mg)

1 gram (g) = 1,000,000 micrograms (mcg)

1 gram (g) = 15.43 grains (gr)

1 hand = 4 inches (in)

1 inch (in) = 2.54 centimeters (cm)

1 kilogram (kg) = 1,000 grams (g)

1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lb)

1 liter (L) = 1000 milliliters (mL)

1 liter (L) = 1.057 quarts (qt)

1 meter (m) = 1,000 millimeters (mm)

1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm)

1 milligram (mg) = 1,000 micrograms (mcg)

1 milliliter (mL) = 1 cubic centimeter (cc)

1 milliliter (mL) = 15 drops (gt)

1 milliliter (mL) = 16.23 minims

1 minim = 1 drop (gt)

1 ounce (fl oz) = 2 tablespoons (tbsp)

1 ounce (oz) = 20 pennyweights (dwt)

1 ounce (oz) = 24 scruples

1 ounce (oz) = 31.1 grams (g)

1 ounce (oz) = 480 grains (gr)

1 ounce (oz) = 8 drams (dr)

1 ounce, fluid (fl oz) = 29.57 milliliters (mL)

1 palm = 3 inches (in)

1 pennyweight (dwt) = 24 grains (gr)

1 pint (pt) = 16 ounces (oz)

1 pint (pt) = 4 gills

1 pound (lb) = 16 ounces (oz)

1 pound (lb) = 350 scruples

1 quart (qt) = 0.946 liters (L)

1 quart (qt) = 2 pints (pt)

1 scruple = 20 grains (gr)

1 stone = 0.14 cents

1 tablespoon (tbsp) = 3 teaspoons (tsp)

1 teacup = 6 ounces (oz)

1 teaspoon (tsp) = 60 drops (gtt)

1 teaspoon (tsp) = 4.93 mL

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 9, 2012

DosageHelp.com - Helping Nursing Students Learn Dosage Calculations

tammy_zeidan09 · Sep 9, 2012

Thank you!

tokebi · Sep 9, 2012

It's not a stupid question! In fact, I think it shows you're very observant.

As you can see in Esme's post, the conversion between metric system and apothecary's system isn't neat because they're completely different systems and the conversion factors are only approximate. Still, there's no need to memorize to the point of decimals. Knowing the approximates like 30ml = 1oz will suffice for the purpose of nursing school.

In practice, you'd have med orders almost always in metric system. Only one time, I saw an order written: Tylenol gr.X. That was in 2004. I wonder if that physician still keeps at it. :)

meanmaryjean, DNP, RN · Sep 9, 2012

I can remember when things were prescribed in grains and minims.......... geez, I'm old! :)

KelRN215, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2012

I feel extremely silly asking this question but for some reaosn I am having a difficult time understanding something in my book.
I am just looking over basic conversions in my Dosage Calc book.
It says 1qt=32oz=1L=1000ml.
How?
1qt=32oz.
1oz=30ml.
32oz x 30ml=960.
I can see that 960 is close to 1000, but it is NOT.
Can't that result in something major upon administering meds?
Same with 1 pint=16oz=500 mL.
16 x 30 = 480 mL...
Am I forgetting something major?

You're not really ever going to be administering a "quart" of meds. All medication orders should be in metric calculations and in mg or g vs mL unless it's IVF.

You mostly need to know these conversions for I&O and since you will record most everything in mL, it's fairly sufficient to know that 1 cup = 240 mL (ish)... some people will call 1 cup 250 mL but that 10 mL is unlikely to make any kind of significant difference.

tammy_zeidan09 · Sep 10, 2012

Okay, great! Thank you all a tons! I swear I thought I was losing my mind!

=]

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Sep 10, 2012

...you are losing your mind....you're in school!!!! :hug:

morte, LPN, LVN · Sep 10, 2012

Is this an example of school "dumbing down"?

Compassion_x · Sep 12, 2012

Ha, I just noticed that too! But my instructor mentioned it and kind of shrugged it off. And like someone said, meds won't be administered in quarts!