Apothecary conversions

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Specializes in ICU.

Hey All,

We just started med calculations tonight and the prof spent a lot of time on teaching apothecary conversions. She gave us lots of problems combining both metric and apothecary measurements, telling us we may very well see apothecary at some point during our career. I did think it was WAY out dated as JCAHO advises that the system not be used anymore but I could be wrong.

She says we will not be tested on apothecary problems in our med calculation tests. I have been working on both systems while studying to make sure I know all of the material. I got the impression she was trying to deliberately confuse us with it. I think if apocathery conversions are still in use, they are med errors just waiting to happen.

Just wanted to see what you all thought.

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Specializes in med/surg, telemetry, IV therapy, mgmt.

I suggest you listen to what your instructor is telling you because she is right.

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Specializes in ICU.

I am listening to my instructor. I am not the type of student who blows off what my professor teaches because I think it is irrelevent or outdated.

I have been working on both conversions and combined conversions while studying. I just wondered if apothecary conversions are often seen by the rest of you.

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I am listening to my instructor. I am not the type of student who blows off what my professor teaches because I think it is irrelevent or outdated.

I have been working on both conversions and combined conversions while studying. I just wondered if apothecary conversions are often seen by the rest of you.

Not often, but yes, they still turn up occasionally.

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Specializes in ICU.

Thank you! Haven't heard the word dram in an age so it threw me a bit!

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My mom (a nurse for over 30 years, background in mostly ICU/Neuro) saw me doing calculations using grains and said she couldn't believe they were still teaching it as she has never seen it in her career.

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Specializes in Trauma, Teaching.

I still teach it because lots of patients still use apothecary to give you their history; teaspoons and tablespoons, a cup of this or that.

No, it isn't to confuse you, its to give you a complete education.:yeah:

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