11 Conversion Table & Converting Temperatures
Conversion Tables
The following tables outline common conversion amounts used in nursing.
| Weight Measurements in Metric | Equivalent Amount in Metric |
|---|---|
| 1,000 microgram (mcg) | 1 milligram (mg) |
| 1,000 milligram (mg) | 1 gram (g) |
| 1,000 gram (g) | 1 kilogram (kg) |
| Volume Measurements in Metric | Equivalent Amount in Metric |
|---|---|
| 1,000 millilitre (mL) | 1 litre (L) |
| 1,000 milliunits (no official abbreviation) | 1 unit (U*) |
| 1 cubic centimetre (cc*) | 1 millilitre (mL) |
| 1 milliquivalent (mEq) | 1 millimole (mmol) |
| Weight Measurement in Metric | Equivalent Amount in Imperial |
|---|---|
| 1 kilogram (kg) | 2.2 pounds |
| 28.35 grams | 1 ounces (oz) |
| Additional Measures | Equivalent Amount |
|---|---|
| 1 milliquivalent (mEq) | 1 millimole (mmol) |
| 30 centimetres | 1 foot (ft or ‘) |
| 2.54 centimetres | 1 inch (in or “) |
| 16 ounces | 1 pound (lb) |
| 1 millilitre (mL) | 1 gram (g) |
*symbol denotes a dangerous abbreviation which should not be used. This abbreviation is included in this text as it is possible you may see this abbreviation in the health care setting. Clarification of the order is required to ensure patient safety.
Converting Temperatures
There are three widely used temperature scales that can be found in the health applications (Celsius, Farenheit, and Kelvin). A Celsius thermometer will measure the boiling point of water at 100°C and the freezing point of water at 0°. On the other hand, the Farenheit temperature scale measures the freezing temperature of water at 32°F and the boiling point at 212°F. Kelvin is an absolute temperature scale where absolute zero (the complete absence of thermal energy) is 0 K.
Both the Celsius and Kelvin scales of temperature are part of the Metric System and Farenheit is a part of the Imperial system. It is important to have a solid understanding of how to convert between temperature scales.
Two Ways to Convert
There are two ways to convert between Celsius and Fahrenheit.
One method uses operations with fractions.
Celsius to Fahrenheit
[latex]°\text{F} = \frac{9}{5} × °\text{C} + 32[/latex]
Fahrenheit to Celsius
[latex]°\text{C} = \frac{5}{9} × (°\text{F} - 32)[/latex]
The other method uses operations with decimals.
Celsius to Fahrenheit
[latex]°\text{F} = 1.8 × °\text{C} + 32[/latex]
Fahrenheit to Celsius
[latex]°\text{C} = (°\text{F} - 32) ÷ 1.8[/latex]
You only need to remember one method.
Converting between Kelvin and Celsius is a simpler process.
Celsius to Kelvin
[latex]\text{K} = °\text{C} + 273.15[/latex]
Kelvin to Celsius
[latex]°\text{C} = \text{K} - 273.15[/latex]
Example:
[latex]\text {12°C = 12 + 273.15 = 285.15K}[/latex]
Sample Exercises 11.1
Convert the following :
- [latex]-6°\text{C to Farenheit}[/latex]
- [latex]375°\text{F to Celsius}[/latex]
- [latex]484 \text{K to Celsius}[/latex]
- [latex]37°\text{C to Kelvin}[/latex]
- [latex]304 \text{K to Farenheit}[/latex]
Solutions
1) [latex]-6 × 1.8 + 32 = 21.2°\text{F}[/latex]
2) [latex](375-32)÷ 1.8 = 190.56°\text{F}[/latex]
3) [latex]484 - 273.15 = 210.85°\text{C}[/latex]
4) [latex]37 + 273.15 = 310.15 \text{K}[/latex]
5) [latex]304 - 273.15 = 30.85°\text{C}[/latex]
[latex]30.85 × 1.8 + 32 = 87.53°\text{F}[/latex]
Case Studies
Scenario A: IV Fluid Conversion for a Patient
You are working in the emergency department in Truro, and a patient named Mary comes in with dehydration. The doctor orders an IV drip of Normal Saline to be administered at a rate of 100 mL/hour for the next 6 hours. Each IV bag contains 1 litre (1000 mL).
Question: How many IV bags will you need to complete the order?
Answer & Solution
Answer: You will need 1 IV bag of Normal Saline since 600 mL is less than the 1000 mL in one bag.
Solution:
- Rate of administration: 100 mL/hour
- Duration: 6 hours
- Total volume needed: 100 mL/hour × 6 hours = 600 mL
- Each IV bag contains: 1000 mL
Scenario B: Converting Medication Doses
You are working in a hospital in Halifax, Nova Scotia. A patient diagnosed with hypertension is prescribed Lisinopril 0.02 g daily. However, the medication available in the hospital pharmacy is in milligrams (mg). You need to administer the medication, but first, you must convert the dosage from grams to milligrams.
Question: Convert the prescribed dose of Lisinopril from grams to milligrams. How many milligrams should you administer?
Answer & Solution
Answer: You should administer 20 mg of Lisinopril.
Solution: (Recall that 1 g = 1000 mg)
- Given: 0.02 g
- Convert: 0.02 × 1000 = 20mg
Chapter Credit
Adapted from Chapter 8 Conversion Table in A Guide for Numeracy in Nursing by Julia Langham, CC BY 4.0.
Converting Temperatures and Case Studies are new content.
