NCLEX-PN

Conversions Among the Systems of Measurement

Metric

Apothecary

Household

1 milliliter

15-16 minims

15-16 drops

4-5 milliliters

1 fluid dram

1 teaspoon or 60 drops

15-16 milliliters

4 fluid drams

1 tablespoon or 3-4 teaspoons

30 milliliters

8 fluid drams or 1 fluid ounce

2 tablespoons

240-250 milliliters

8 fluid ounces or ½ pint

1 glass or cup

500 milliliters

1 pint

2 glasses or 2 cups

1 liter

32 fluid ounces or 1 quart

4 glasses, 4 cups or 1 quart

1 milligram

1/60 grain

60 milligrams

1 grain

300-325 milligrams

5 grains

1 gram

15-16 grains

1 kilogram

2.2 pounds

Clinical Decision Making in Medication Calculations In the realm of healthcare, nurses play a critical role in ensuring client safety when calculating medication dosages and solution rates. This process demands clinical decision-making and professional thinking skills, which are honed through experience and education. Nurses understand that errors in these calculations can lead to serious consequences. Sometimes, these errors may seem glaringly inaccurate, while others may appear deceptively plausible. However, a skilled nurse can promptly recognize when a calculated result is incorrect. For example, if a nurse calculates an intravenous flow rate and arrives at an answer like 250 drops per minute , they instinctively realize that this result is implausible . It's simply not feasible to accurately count such a high number of drops in a minute. In this scenario, the nurse knows to reevaluate and recalculate the flow rate. Another facet of clinical decision-making involves drawing upon pharmacological knowledge and familiarity with standard pediatric and adult medication dosages. Suppose a nurse is computing the dosage for a medication like digoxin , and their calculation suggests administering 2 1/2 milligrams . In this instance, the nurse's clinical judgment kicks in. They're aware that this dosage far exceeds the typical amount for digoxin. This prompts them to revisit their calculations to ensure accuracy.

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