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Metric System

The document outlines the metric system, emphasizing its definition as a decimal measurement system based on the number 10. It details the three basic units of measurement: meter for length, litre for volume, and gram for weight, along with their prefixes and conversions. Additionally, it highlights the advantages of the metric system in simplifying calculations, especially in drug dosage measurements.

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2 views

Metric System

The document outlines the metric system, emphasizing its definition as a decimal measurement system based on the number 10. It details the three basic units of measurement: meter for length, litre for volume, and gram for weight, along with their prefixes and conversions. Additionally, it highlights the advantages of the metric system in simplifying calculations, especially in drug dosage measurements.

Uploaded by

amadiaade
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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NURSING CALCULATION DGN 1 SEMESTER 1 2024

TOPIC METRIC SYSTEM

Learning objectives: By the end of the lesson the students can;


1. Define metric system
2. Understand the three basic types of metric system used
3. Identify and understand the other units plus their prefixes and abbreviation used in the metric
system

Definition:
The metric system is a decimal system of measurement. That means it based on the number 10 &
multiples of 10.

Overview
There are three basic unit of measurement in the metric system. All other units of measure are
based on these three major units;
 Meter, is the basic unit for length
 Litre, is the basic unit for volume
 Gram, is the basic unit for mass/ weight

When you see the root word meter, litre & gram, you can easily tell whether you are measuring the
length, volume or weight. For example, the centimetre (cm) & the millimetre (mm) are units of
length, the centilitre (cl) & the millilitre (ml) are units of volume & the kilograms (kg) & the milligrams
(mg) are units of weight. It is also widely used system for measuring amounts of drugs.

The metric system offers three advantages over other systems


 It eliminates common fraction.
 It simplifies calculation of large & small units.
 It simplifies the calculation of drug doses.

Metric measurement (SI METRIC SYSTEM)

BASIC UNIT PREFIX ABBREV EQUIVALENTS


Metre m 1 m = 100 cm = 1000 mm
 Centimetre centi cm 0.01 m = 1 cm = 10 mm
LENGHT
 Millimetre Milli mm 0.001 m = 0.1 cm = 1 mm

Gram g 1 g = 1000 mg = 1 000 000


mcg
WEIGHT  Milligram Milli mg 0.001 g = 1 mg = 1000 mcg
 Microgram Micro mcg 0.000001 g = 0.001 mg = 1
mcg
1
 Kilogram Kilo kg 1 kg = 1000 g
Litre L/l 1 L = 1000 mL
 Millilitre Milli ml/mL 1 L = 1000 mL
VOLUME 0.001 L = 1 mL

(Brotty & Rafferty, 2012)


Each prefix that is used in the metric system represent a multiple or subdivision of ten. The
abbreviation that represent the basic unit of measure;
o Gram (g)
o Meter (m)
o Litre (l)

And the prefix such as;


o Kilo (k)
o Centi (c)
o Milli (m)

For example, kg stand for kilogram and cm stand for centimetre; and ml stands for millilitre.

METRIC CONVERSION
Since the metric system is decimal based it is easy to convert from one metric unit to another.
To convert a smaller unit to a larger unit move the decimal point to the left.
To convert a larger unit to a smaller unit, move the decimal point to the right.

WEIGHT, VOLUME & LENGTH


Kilogram to gram Multiply by 1 000
Gram to kilogram Divide by 1 000
Gram to milligram Multiply by 1 000
Milligram to gram Divide by 1 000
Milligram to micro gram Multiply by 1 000
Micro gram to milligram Divide by 1 000
Gram to microgram Multiply by 1 000 000
Microgram to gram Divide by 1 000 000
VOLUME
Litres to millilitres Multiply by 1 000
Millitres to litres Divide by 1 000
LENGTH
Kilometre to metre Multiply by 1 000
Metre to kilometre Divide by 1 000
Meter to centimetre Multiply by 100
Centimetre to meter Divide by 100
2
Centimetre to millimetre Multiply by 10
Millimetre to centimetre Divide by 10
Meter to millimetre Multiply by 1 000
Millimetre to meter Divide by 1 000

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