Conversion between metric units (mg to g, mcg to mg, mg to kg)
Conversion between metric units is a straightforward process once you know the relationship between the units.
In nursing, the metric units that are used often are the following:
kg = kilogram
g = gram
mg = milligram
mcg = microgram
Volume:
L = liter
mL = milliliter
Relationship between the units:
1 kg = 1000 g
1 g = 1000 mg
1 mg = 1000 mcg
1 L = 1000 mL = 1000 cc
Notice that each unit differs from the one right below it by 1000. In other words, the unit immediately below is 1000 times smaller than the one immediately above.
Guideline showing how to do conversion between metric units
Study carefully this guideline that will help you to convert between the units
Conversion down the scale:
To convert from kg to g, multiply by 1000 or just move the decimal point 3 places to the right.
To convert from g to mg, multiply by 1000 or just move the decimal point 3 places to the right.
To convert from g to mcg, multiply by 1000000 or just move the decimal point 6 places to the right.
To convert from L to mL, multiply by 1000 or just move the decimal point 3 places to the right.
Conversion up the scale:
To convert from g to kg, divide by 1000 or just move the decimal point 3 places to the left
To convert from mg to g, divide by 1000 or just move the decimal point 3 places to the left.
To convert from mcg to g, divide by 1000000 or just move the decimal point 6 places to the left.
To convert from mL to L, divide by 1000 or just move the decimal point 3 places to the left.
Examples showing how to do conversion between metric units
Example #1:
Convert 4 g to mg
The decimal point is on the right of 4. Move the point 3 places to the right. Add zeros if needed.
4.
40.
400.
4000.
4 g = 4000 mg
Example #2:
Convert 0.04 g to mg
The decimal point is between the two zeros. Move the point 4 places to the right. Add zeros if needed.
0.04
0.4
4.
40.
0.04 g = 40 mg
Example #3:
Convert 2650 mg to g
The decimal point is on the right of 0. Move the point 3 places to the left. Add zeros if needed.
2650.
265.0
26.50
2.650
2650 mg = 2.650 g
Example #4:
Convert 500 mcg to mg
The decimal point is on the right of 0. Move the point 3 places to the left. Add zeros if needed.
500.
50.0
5.00
0.500
500 mcg = 0.5 mg
Example #5:
Convert 90000 mg to kg
The decimal point is on the right of 0. Move the point 6 places to the left. Add zeros if needed.
90000.
9000.0
900.00
90.000
9.0000
0.90000
0.090000
90000 mg = 0.09 kg
Example #6:
Convert 3584 mL to L
The decimal point is on the right of 4. Move the point 3 places to the left. Add zeros if needed.
3584.
358.4
35.84
3.584
3584 mL = 3.584 L
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Conversion between metric for nurses quiz: |