4
Understanding Measurement Systems and Conversions
Learning Objectives
1 Identify the metric system units of measurement. (Section 4.1)
2 Recognize metric system prefixes and abbreviations and understand their meanings. (Section 4.1)
3 Understand how to write parts of a unit as a decimal. (Section 4.1)
4 Perform conversions within the metric system by multiplying, dividing, and moving the decimal point. (Section 4.2)
5 Convert metric units of measurement by using the ratio-proportion and dimensional analysis methods. (Section 4.2)
6 Identify household system units of measurement. (Section 4.3)
For a key to the body system icons that appear in each chapter of this textbook, refer to the Preface
7 Recognize household system abbreviations and their meanings. (Section 4.3)
8 Perform conversions within the household system by using the ratio-proportion and dimensional analysis methods. (Section 4.4)
9 Perform conversions between the metric and household measurement systems using the ratio-proportion and dimensional analysis methods. (Section 4.5)
10 Understand the Celsius and Fahrenheit temperature systems and perform conversions between these systems. (Section 4.6)
ASHP/ACPE Accreditation Standards
To view the ASHP/ACPE Accreditation Standards addressed in this chapter, refer to Appendix D.
There are two main measurement systems you will encounter in pharmacy practice: the metric measurement system and the household measurement system. Although there is a growing trend toward the use of the metric system, both measurement systems are used by patients, prescribers, and drug manufacturers. For this reason, you must know these measurement systems as well as how to perform conversions both within and between these systems.