Chapter 03: Metric Units and Conversions

Mulholland: The Nurse, The Math, The Meds, 3rd Edition

ESSAY
1. Write the approved abbreviations.

a.
b.
c.
d.

milliliter:
kilogram:
centimeter:
gram:

ANS:

a.
b.
c.
d.

mL
kg
cm
g

2. Write the approved abbreviations.

a.
b.
c.
d.

meter:
liter:
millimeter:
microgram:

ANS:

a.
b.
c.
d.

m
L
mm
mcg

3. Write the approved abbreviations.

a. milligram:
b. grain:
ANS:

a. mg
b. gr
4. Complete the conversion formulas.

a. _____ mcg = 1 mg
b. _____ mg = 1 g
ANS:

a. 1000
b. 1000
5. Complete the conversion formulas.

a. _____ mL = 1 liter

b. _____ mL = 1 ounce
ANS:

a. 1000
b. 30
6. Complete the conversion formulas.

a. _____ cm = 1 m
b. _____ m = 1 km
ANS:

a. 100
b. 1000
7. Write the abbreviations using the appropriate notation.

a.
b.
c.
d.

10 milligrams:
15 kilograms:
10 ounces:
5 liters:

ANS:

a.
b.
c.
d.

10 mg
15 kg
10 oz
5L

8. If a newborn weighs 3 kg, what is the gram equivalent?

ANS:

3000 g
9. The nurse will administer 0.25 g of a medication. Move the decimal point to obtain the

milligram equivalent and then verify the answer using a conversion formula and DA-style
equation.
ANS:

0.250

250 mg;

mg =
10. The nurse practitioner ordered 40 mcg of a medication. Move the decimal point to obtain the

milligram equivalent and then verify the answer using a conversion formula and DA-style
equation.
ANS:

40

0.04 mg;

mg =
11. (1-10)

Term
meter
milliliter
kilogram
centimeter
liter

Abbreviation

Abbreviation

Term

Abbreviation

Term

dL
g
mcg
mL
mm

ANS:

Term
meter
milliliter
kilogram
centimeter
liter

Abbreviation
m
mL
kg
cm
L

dL
g
mcg
mL
mm

deciliter
gram
microgram
milliliter
millimeter

12. (16-20) Fill in the metric equivalents in the blanks as indicated.

Gram

Milligrams

Micrograms

Gram

Milligrams

Micrograms
200,000
500,000
5000
100,000
250,000

2
0.5
0.005
0.1
0.25
ANS:

2
0.5
0.005
0.1
0.25

2000
500
5
100
250

13. (21-25) Fill in the metric equivalents in the blanks as indicated.

Gram

Milligrams

Micrograms

150
3000
750
10,000
375

ANS:

Gram
0.15
0.003
0.75
0.01
0.375

Milligrams
150
3
750
10
375

Micrograms
150,000
3000
750,000
10,000
375,000

14. A newborn weighs 4000 grams: How many kilograms does the newborn weigh?

Estimate:
DA verification:
ANS:

Estimate: __4 kilograms__(1000 g = 1 kg)________

DA verification: ? kg :
15. A nurse will administer 0.3g of a medication. How many milligrams will this be?

Estimate:
DA verification:
ANS:

Estimate: __300 milligrams__(1000 mg = 1 g)_____

DA verification: ? mg :
16. An incision measures 12 cm. Approximately how many inches will this be?

Estimate:
DA verification:
ANS:

Estimate: __4 to 5 inches (2.5 cm = 1 inch)_______

DA verification: ? in :
17. The nurse administers

approximately
ounce of liquid medication. About how many mL is the equivalent?

Estimate:
DA verification:
ANS:

Estimate: __15 mL 30 mL = 1 ounce______

DA verification: ? mL :
18. The patient drinks 3 liters of fluid per day. How many mL would be the equivalent?

Estimate:

DA verification:
ANS:

Estimate: __3000 mL (1000 mL = 1 liter)______

DA verification: ? mL :
COMPLETION
1. Write the metric equivalents:

microgram to milligram: _____________

ANS: 1000 mcg = 1 mg
2. Write the metric equivalents:

milligram to gram: _____________

ANS: 1000 mg = 1 g
3. Write the metric equivalents:

grams to kilograms: _____________

ANS: 1000 g = 1 kg
4. Write the metric equivalents:

kg to pounds: _____________
ANS: 1 kg = 2.2 lb
5. Write the metric equivalents:

milliliters to liter: _____________

ANS: 1000 mL = 1 liter