rounding

GENERAL RULES FOR ROUNDING OFF

General Rounding Rule: When rounding off numbers 5 and above, round up.

Numbers below 5, round down

Calculation Caution: Round appropriately when performing calculations that require

multiple steps. Do not leave unrounded numbers in your calculator when you go to the

next step.

I. Capsules and tablets

Whole capsules or tablets (which are not scored) should be rounded to the nearest

whole number. The difference should not exceed 10% of total amount ordered.

Ex.: 1.8 capsules = 2 capsules

1.5 scored tablets = 1 ½ tablets

II. Liquid medications by mouth

If unable to accurately measure dose on available medication cup, use a syringe

to obtain accurate measurement of dose.

III. Milliliters

A. Volumes greater than 1 ml. or cc: Volumes using ml or cc’s greater than 1

should be divided to the hundredths place and rounded to the nearest tenth.

Ex.: 1.25 ml = 1.3 ml

1.24 ml = 1.2 ml

B. Volumes less than 1 ml or cc: Volumes using ml or cc’s less than 1 ml should

be divided to the thousandths place, and rounded to the nearest hundredth.

A TB syringe is appropriate for this measurement.

Ex.: .969 = .97 ml

.963 = .96 ml

IV. Converting pounds to kilograms

When converting pounds to kilograms, the weight should be carried to the

hundredths place and rounded to the tenths place.

Ex. 170 lbs = 77.27 kg = 77.3 kg

160 lbs = 72.72 kg = 72.7 kg

V. Drops

Calculate to the tenths place and round off to the nearest whole number.

Ex. 15.4 = 15 drops

15.5 = 16 drops

VI. Setting an IV pump (Exception: do not round off for heparin infusions)

Round fractions of ml to the whole ml using the general rounding rule.

Ex. 123.3 ml/hour = 123 ml