Activity 2 - US Measurements & Converting Systems

Activity 2: US Customary Measurements &
Converting between Systems
You tell Sam that he will also need to learn some customary household measurements and their
equivalents. Although these measurements are seldom used in a medical setting, they are
sometimes used when giving patients instructions for administering medications at home. You give
Sam a copy of Handout 2. Chart one has a list of some customary household measurements with
their abbreviations and equivalents. Chart two has a list of customary measurements with their
approximate metric equivalents. Unlike metric units, household measurements are not based on the
decimal system. Therefore, other methods must be used to convert these units of measurement.
One method to convert customary units of measurement is to use a proportion. A proportion is two
equal ratios. A ratio is a fraction that makes a comparison between two numbers. For example, you
need to know how many tablespoons (T) are equal to 3 fluid ounces (fl oz). If you look at the
equivalency chart, you find that 1 fl oz = 2 T. Use this information to set up a proportion. To solve a
proportion, cross multiply and solve for x, as shown below. Remember to use labels and keep like
units across from each other when setting up a proportion.
--IN CLASS EXAMPLES HERE--
You can also use the proportion method to convert units between measurement systems.
One of the clinic doctors gives a patient a bottle of liquid medication with orders to take 45 mL three
times a day. You tell Sam he will need to calculate the number of tablespoons the patient needs to
take for one dose of the medication. Sam uses the equivalency of 1 T = 15 mL from the chart to set
up a proportion and calculate the correct number of tablespoons per dose.
15(x) = (1)(45) 15x = 45 x = 45 ÷ 15 45 mL = _______T (IN CLASS EXAMPLE)

The doctor is prescribing medication for a patient based on weight in kilograms. The patient weighs
250 pounds. You tell Sam to use a proportion and convert the patient’s weight into kilograms,
rounding to the nearest tenths place, if necessary. 250 lb = _________kg
Some problems will require multiple conversions and steps. Example: A child is taking 24 mL of
medication 4 times per day. If the full bottle contains 16 fluid ounces of the medication, how many
days will the bottle last? IN-CLASS STEP BY STEP EXAMPLE
Handout 2: Customary Household Measurements

Unit Abbreviation Equivalents
drops gtts 1 t = 60 gtts
teaspoon t
tablespoon T 1T=3t
ounce (fluid) fl oz 1 fl oz = 2 T
cup cup 1 cup = 8 fl oz
pint pt 1 pt = 2 cups = 16 fl oz
quart qt 1 qt = 2 pt = 4 cups = 32 fl oz
ounce (weight) oz 16oz = 1 lb
pound lb
inches in 12 in = 1 ft
feet ft
yard yd 1 yd = 3 ft = 36 in
Approximate Equivalents
1 t = 5 mL = 60 gtts
1 T = 3 t = 15 mL = ½ fl oz
1 fl oz = 30 mL = 6 t
1 L = 1 qt = 32 fl oz = 2 pt = 4 cups
1 pt = 16 fl oz = 2 cups
1 cup = 8 fl oz = 240 mL
1 kg = 2.2 lb
1 in = 2.5 = cm
Worksheet 2: Converting Measurements Name: _________________ Write the abbreviation
or term as indicated for each of the following.
1. pint _________ 4. T ________________

2. pound _______ 5. qt ________________
3. drops ________ 6. fl oz ______________
Complete the following equivalencies.
7. 1 kg = __________ lb 9. 1 in = ____________ cm
8. 1 fl oz = _________ mL 10. 1 cup = ___________mL
Complete the following proportions.
11. 8 oz_ = _x oz_ 12. _1 fl oz = _4 fl oz

16 T 3 T 30 mL x mL
Solve the following problems. Round your answers to the nearest tenths place, if necessary. 13.
A patient voids 150 mL into the specimen cup. How many fluid ounces is this? ________fl oz
Questions 14 – 15: Sam weighed and measured an infant at the clinic today. The baby weighed 8.5
kg and was 60.5 cm long. The baby’s mother wanted to know the baby’s weight in pounds and length
in inches.
14. The baby weighs ___________ lb. 15. The baby’s length is _________ in.
16. A patient received stitches for a laceration that was 5 inches long. Sam needs to record the
length in centimeters in his chart. The wound is __________ cm long.
17. A child threw up 2 cups of fluid in the examination room. How many mL is this? _________
Questions 18 – 20: Sam gave the mother of the sick child a 16 oz bottle of liquid medication and told
her the child should take 30 mL twice a day.
18. How many tablespoons is one dose? ________
19. How many total mL will the child take in one day? ______ How many ounces is this? _______
20. How many days will the bottle of medication last? _________

Activity 2 - US Measurements & Converting Systems

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Activity 2 - US Measurements & Converting Systems

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Activity 2 - US Measurements & Converting Systems

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Activity 2: US Customary Measurements &

Converting between Systems

--IN CLASS EXAMPLES HERE--

15(x) = (1)(45) 15x = 45 x = 45 ÷ 15 45 mL = _______T (IN CLASS EXAMPLE)

Handout 2: Customary Household Measurements

drops gtts 1 t = 60 gtts

cup cup 1 cup = 8 fl oz

ounce (weight) oz 16oz = 1 lb

Worksheet 2: Converting Measurements Name: _________________ Write the abbreviation

or term as indicated for each of the following.

1. pint _ 4. T ________

3. drops 6. fl oz ______

Complete the following equivalencies.

8. 1 fl oz = _ mL 10. 1 cup = ___mL

Complete the following proportions.

11. 8 oz_ = _x oz_ 12. _1 fl oz = _4 fl oz

18. How many tablespoons is one dose? ________

You might also like