Section II. SYSTEMS OF MEASUREMENT
2-10. NOTES
a. The Metric System.
(1)
Units used in the metric system:
(a)
Liter for volume (fluids).
(b) Gram for weight (solids).
(c)
Meter for measure (length).
(2)
Metric equivalents used in medicine:
(a) Volume--1000 milliliters (ml) = 1 liter (L).
(b) Weight:
1 1000 micrograms (mcg) = 1 milligram (mg).
2 1000 mg = 1 gram (gm).
3 1000 gm = 1 kilogram (kg).
(3)
Procedure for conversion from one unit of the metric system to another:
(a) To change milligrams to grams (mg to gm), milliliters to liters
(ml to L), or to change grams to kilograms, set up a ratio and proportion based on the
equivalent.
EXAMPLE 1.
Express 50 mg as grams.
50 mg = X gm
1000 mg = 50 mg
1 gm
X gm
1000X = 50
X = .05 gm
MD0904
2-11