The Metric System

Based on the number 10, therefore just move the decimal point to the right or left to increase the number by a factor of 10. The numbers used do not change, just the meaning.

This system is used extensively in the medical field, so you will need to be able to convert within the metric system[metric to metric] and also from English <->Metric in order to properly perform dosage calculations.

Units of Measure
Metric Unit
English Units
weight / mass
gram
pound, ounce, ton
length
meter
inch, foot, yard, mile
volume
liter
ounce, cup, quart, gallon

 

Metric Prefixes for decimal multiples of units and parts of units

Prefix
Symbol
Meaning
Calculation
Exponent
Word discription
mega
M
 million 1000000 1.0 E+6 million
kilo
k
 thousand 1000 1.0 E+3 thousand
hecta
h
 hundred 100 1.0 E+2 hundred
deca
da
 ten 10 1.0 E+1 ten
base unit
-----
 one 1 1.0 E+0 [metric unit word is used for intial value]
deci
d
 1/10 .1 1.0 E-1 tenth
centi
c
 1/100 .01 1.0 E-2 hundredth
milli
m
 1/1000 .001 1.0 E-3 thousandth
micro
mc or u
 1/100000 .000001 1.0 E-6 millionth

Conversion Factors to Remember

A faster method of conversion for metric to metric problems results in creating a metric unit line for a quick reference: "KHD _ dcm"
The space is left for the unit of measurement, either g [gram], l [liter], m [meter] for the one unit place holder.
Using the proper prefix symbol from the table above and base unit, the line can become

Place the original number at the proper location to begin. Move the decimal the required number of spaces in the proper direction to do the metric to metric conversions.
Note that metric to English will require some knowledge of other conversion factors.

Caution : 0.1 cc vs. 1.0 cc vs 10.0 cc vs 100.0 cc! The only thing that changed was the placement of the decimal! The wrong dose amount could harm your patients.
REMEMBER: Decimals can KILL !!
So calculate and recheck you calculations with caution. .