Calculations Cheat Sheet..

2016

Conversions Cheat Sheet

Value

To

Value

1 gram

1000 milligram

1 milligram

1,000 micrograms

1 grain

60 mg

1 tablespoon

3 teaspoons

1 teaspoon

5 milliliters

1 tablespoon

15 milliliters

1 ounce

30 milliliters
(approximately)

1 cup

8 ounces

1 pound

2.2 kilograms

1 inch

2.54 centimeters

1 Fahrenheit

5/9 Celsius

1 quart

32 ounces

1 pint

16 ounces

4 quarts

8 pints

1 gallon

128 ounces

1 quart

2 pints

WEIGHT:
1 kg

2.2 lbs

.45 kg

1 lb
(approximatel
y)

16 ounces

1pt.

32 ounces

1qt.

METRIC UNIT MNEMONIC:

MONDA

DRINKI

KING

HARRY

DIED

N'

COLD

1,000

100

10

0.1

0.01

0.001

0.000,001

Kilogra
m

Hectogra
m

Dekagra
m

Gram

Deci

Centigra
m

Milligra
m

Microgra

Kiloliter

Hectoliter

Dekaliter

Liter

Deciliter

Centiliter

Milliliter

Microliter

Kilomet
er

Hectomet
er

Decamet
er

Meter

Decimeter

Centimet
er

Millimet
er

Micromet

Drops per Minute

(Total volume * drip factor) time in minutes

Milliliters per Hour

Total volume in mL number of hours

Infusion Time

Total volume to be infused mL per hour to be infused

Adult Drip Factor

20 gtts/minute

Pediatric Drip Factor

60 gtts/minute

Maintenance Fluid Rate (m.f.r. for the purposes of this paper)

o 1st 10kg: 100mL * kg
o 2nd 10kg: 50mL * kg
o 3rd for every additional kg: 20mL * kg

C = F-32/1.8
F = 1.8*C-32
Celsius to Fahrenheit: C x 9/5 + 32 = F
Fahrenheit to Celsius: (F 32) x 5/9 = C
EX:
Celsius to Fahrenheit
37 Celsius x 9/5 + 32 = 98.6
EX:
Fahrenheit to Celsius

MILKY MOCAS

98.8 Fahrenheit 32 x 5/9 = 37.1 Celsius

1 Fahrenheit is equivalent to 5/9 Celcius
Min Hr ( by 60)
Hr Min (* by 60)
1 inch = 2.54cm
1cm = 0.393701
5ml = 1 TSP
15mL = 1 TBSP
30mL = 1OZ

Nursing Conversions with Formulas, Dosages and IVs

Volume Chart
60 minims

1 dram

(4cc Apothecary)
5cc Metric

4 drams

0.5 ounces

1tbs

8 drams

1 ounce

16 ounces

1pt.

32 ounces

1qt.

1tsp

(Student Nurse Information Center, 2002)

mcL mL L kL ( by 1,000)
mcL mL L kL (* by 1,000)
Medications are often administered in units of milligrams (mg) and milliliters (mL). Liters,
milliliters and microliters are used to express drug volume for dosing.

Temperature Conversion Formulas

C = F-32/1.8
F = 1.8*C-32
1 Fahrenheit is equivalent to 5/9 Celcius
In medical settings, temperature is usually referred to in degrees () Celcius.
Nursing Conversion Cheat Code: In medical settings, temperature is usually
referred to in degrees () Celcius.

Mass

mcg mg g kg
mcg mg g kg
lb kg ( by 2.2 )
lb kg ( x by 2.2 )
Mass for Mass:

( by 1,000 )
( x by 1,000 )

o How many tablets do you require, once given the amount of mass per tablet?
o Ordered/Have = Y (tablets required)
Mass/Liquid
o How much liquid do you require, once given the amount of mass per liquid?
o Ordered/Have * Volume Per Have = Y (Liquid Required)
Grams, milligrams and micrograms are used to drug mass for dosing.

Drug Calculations for Time, Weight and Height

Time

Min Hr ( by 60)
Hr Min (* by 60)

Length

Capacity/Volume

Weight

1 in = 2.54 cm

1 Tbsp = 3 tsp

1 kg = 2.2 lb

1 ft = 12 in

1 fl oz = 2 tbsp

1 lb = 0.45 kg

3 ft = 1 yd

1 c = 8 fl oz

lb = kg

1 yd = 36 in

1 pt = 2 c

1 T = 2000 lb

1 mi = 5280 ft

1 qt = 2 pt

1 gm = 1000 mg

1 mi = 1760 ft

1 gal = 4 qts

1 mg = 1000 mcg

Standard to Military Time Conversion

Standard

Standard

Time

Military Time

Time

Military Time

12:00 am

0000

12:00 pm

1200

1:00 am

0100

1:00 pm

1300

2:00 am

0200

2:00 pm

1400

3:00 am

0300

3:00 pm

1500

4:00 am

0400

4:00 pm

1600

Standard

Standard

Time

Military Time

Time

Military Time

5:00 am

0500

5:00 pm

1700

6:00 am

0600

6:00 pm

1800

7:00 am

0700

7:00 pm

1900

8:00 am

0800

8:00 pm

2000

9:00 am

0900

9:00 pm

2100

10:00 am

1000

10:00 pm

2200

11:00 am

1100

11:00 pm

2300

Nursing Conversion Cheat Code: In medical settings, military time is used rather
than civilian (standard/conventional) time units in an effort to prevent confusion in
documentation and in the Medical Administration Record (MAR).

Weight

Medication administration that relies upon a patient's weight is calculated in kilograms (kg)
rather than pounds (lb).

1 kg

2.2 lbs

.45 kg

1 lb (approximately)

Conversion of patient' weight:

o [2.2 * (weight in pounds)] = patient' weight in kilograms
o [2.2 (weight in kilograms)] = patient' weight in pounds
Dosage by Weight:
o Weight in Kg * Dosage Per Kg = Y (Required Dosage)

Height

A patient's height will be measured and documented in medical records as centimeters (cm).
1 inch = 2.54cm
1cm = 0.393701

IV pumps are formatted in milliliters per hour (mL/h) and typically rounded to the nearest
10ths place

IV

Most common equipment for infusing IV medications in clinical practices: Volumetric pump
(or other electronic infusion device)
The IV flow rate is typed into the volumetric pump (40 mL/h) (volume over time)
IV gravity drips use manual pumps, relying on gravity for a steady drop rate
o "Drops per minute" refers to the number of drops that enter the drip chamber per
minute
o Gravity drips are rounded to the nearest whole number
o Gravity drips are uncommon in US medical settings
o Gravity drips require a drop factor (unless otherwise stated)
Standard drop factor for pediatrics: Microdrip, 60 gtts/minute
Standard drop factor for adults: Macrodrip
Three sizes for a macrodrip: 20 gtts/mL, 15 gtts/mL and 10 gtts/Ml

Intravenous Nursing Formulas Calculation Chart

IV Formula

&

Calculation

Drops per
Minute

(Total volume x drip factor) time in

minutes

Milliliters per
Hour

Total volume in mL number of hours

Infusion Time

Total volume to be infused mL per hour

to be infused

Adult Drip
Factor

20 gtts/minute (or drops per minute)

Pediatric Drip
Factor

60 gtts/minute (or drops per minute)

Maintenance Fluid Rate (m.f.r. for the purposes of this paper)

o 1st 10kg: 100mL * kg
o 2nd 10kg: 50mL * kg
o 3rd for every additional kg: 20mL * kg
o The sum of these values will determine the m.f.r. per day
m.f.r. per hour is the value of the m.f.r. per day divided by 24 hours.

Pediatric Math
Comprehending Maintenance Fluid Rate
To calculate the maintenance fluid rate, the patients weight must be

known in kilograms (kg)

This may require conversion if the patients weight is only given in

pounds
To convert, divide the patients weight in pounds by 2.2 [ _ lbs x 1 kg /

(2.2 lbs)]
Convert Pounds to Kilograms
(40 lbs x 1 kg)/2.2 lbs = 18.2 kg
Maintenance Fluid Rate

1st 10 kg: 100 mL x kg

2nd 10 kg: 50 mL x kg

3rd for every additional kg: 20 mL x kg

The sum of theses values (adding the results of each) determine the
maintenance fluid rate per day
To determine the fluid maintenance per hour, the value of the

maintenance fluid rate per day is divided by 24 hours

Fluid Maintenance Rate for a 18.2 Kg Patient
1st 10 kg: 10 kg x 100 mL/kg = 1,000 mL
Remaining 8.2 kg: 8.2 x 50 mL/kg = 410 mL
Daily Fluid Maintenance Rate: 1,000 mL + 410 mL = 1,410 mL/day
Hourly Fluid Maintenance Rate: 1,410 mL/24 hours = 58.75 mL/hr (or
58.8 mL/hr)
Weight Ranges
0-10kg

Required Daily Fluid

100mL per kg

10-20kg

1,000mL + 50mL per each kg above 10kg

20-70kg

1,500mL = 20mL per each kg above 20kg

Over 70kg

2,500mL (adult requirement)

Volume/Time IV mL Rate (given an amount of liquid and a time constraint, measure the
necessary flow rate when using an electronic infusion pump)
o Volume (mL) over Time (hr) = Y (Flow Rate in mL/hr)
Volume/Time IV Drop Rate (given an amount of liquid, a time constraint and a drop
factor (gtts/mL), measure the necessary flow rate in gtts/min when using a manual IV)
o Volume (mL) over Time (min) * Drop Factor (gtts/mL) = Y (Flow Rate in gtts/min)
Mass/Time IV mL Rate (measure the necessary flow rate in mL/hr based on the given
mass per volume, to determine the order in quantity of mass per time)
o Ordered Per Hour over Have * Volume (mL) = Y (Flow Rate in mL/hr)

Round to the 10th

Medication administration calculations are usually rounded to the nearest 10s

place, but some test questions will ask for different rounding parameters. For example, if the drug is being
administered in micrograms, the test question may ask you to round it to the nearest 100s place.

Rounding Exceptions

There are also rounding exceptions that exist in standard clinical

practice. Common exceptions to the 10ths place rounding standard include IV drip rates (in which the
answer is rounded to the nearest whole drop per minute), and some pediatric and most neonatal
medications doses (in which the dose is so small that it isrounded to the 100ths place)

COMMON ABREVIATIONS:
A
AAO: Alert, awake and oriented
A&O: Alert and oriented
ABD: Abdomen
AC: Before eating
ADR: Adverse drug reaction/Acute dystonic reaction
AOB: Alcohol on breath
B
bid: Twice a day
BP: Blood pressure
BPM: Beats per minute
BS: Bowel or breath sounds

BW: Body weight

BX: Biopsy
C
c: With
CA: Cancer
Ca: Calcium
CBC: Complete blood count
CC: Chief complaint
CNS: Central nervous system
C/O: Complaining of
CP: Chest pain or Cerebral Palsy
CPR: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation
D
D: Dextrose
D5W = 5% Dextrose in Water
DAW: Dispense as written
DC: Discontinue or discharge
D&C: Dilation and curettage
DNR: Do not resuscitate
DOA: Dead on arrival
DX: Diagnosis
E
EBL: Estimated blood loss
EMV: eyes, motor, verbal response (Glasgow coma scale)
ENT: Ears, nose, throat
ETOH: Ethanol
EUA: Examination under anesthesia
F
FFP: Fresh frozen plasma
FTT: Failure to thrive
FU: Follow-up
Fx: Fracture
G
GC: Gonorrhea
GI: Gastrointestinal
GSW: Gun shot wound
GTT: Glucose tolerance test
GXT: Graded exercise tolerance (stress test)
H
HA: Headache
HAV: Hepatitis A Virus

HBP: High blood pressure

HEENT: Head, eyes, ears, nose, throat
Hgb: Hemoglobin
HIV: Human immunodeficiency virus
HO: History of
HPI: History of present illness
HR: Heart rate
HS: At betime
HTN: Hypertension
Hx: History
I
I&D: Incision and drainage
I&O: Intake and output
ICU: Intensive care unit
ID: Infectious disease or identification
Irr: Irregular
Isol: Isolation
IV: Intravenous
K
KUB: Kidneys, ureters, bladders
KVO: Keep vein open
L
L: Left
LMP: Last menstrual period
LOC: Loss of consciousness or level of consciousness
LPN: Licensed Practical Nurse
M
Mat: Maternity
MBT: Maternal blood type
MCV: Mean cell volume
Meas: Measure
mmol: Millimole
MMR: Measles, mumps, rubella
MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging
MS: Multiple sclerosis, mitral stenosis or morphine sulfate
MVA: Motor vehicle accident
MVI: Multivitamin injection
N
NAD: No active disease
NED: No evidence of recurrent disease
ng: Nanogram
NKA: No known allergies

NKDA: No known drug allergies

NPO: Nothing by mouth
NRM: No regular medications
NS: Normal Saline (0.9% NaCl)
NSR: Normal sinus rhythm
O
OD: Overdose
OR: Operating room
OU: Both eyes
P
PAR: Post anesthesia room
PC: After eating
Ped: Pediatrics
PFT: Pulmonary function tests
pg: Picogram
PMH: Previous medical history
PO: By mouth
POD: Post-op day
Postop: Postoperative
PR: By rectum
PRBC: Packed red blood cells
PRN: As needed
PT: Physical therapy
Pt: Patient
Q
q: Every (Use in dosage: q6h = every 6 hours)
R
R: Right
RA: Rheumatoid arthritis or right atrium
RBC: Red blood cell
RDA: Recommended daily allowance
RNA: Ribonucleic acid
R/O: Rule out
ROM: Range of motion
RRR: Regular rate and rhythm
RT: Respiratory or radiation therapy
RTC: Return to clinic
Rx: Treatment
S
s: Without
S: Saline
sig: Write on label

SMO: Slips made out

SOAP: Subjective, Objective, Assessment, Plan
SOB: Shortness of breath
Sx: Symptoms
T
tid: Three times a day
TKO: To keep open
TLC: Total lung capacity
TNTC: Too numerous to count
Tx: Treatment, transplant
U
UA: Urinalysis
UBD: Universal blood donor
ud: As directed
US: Ultrasound
UTI: Urinary tract infection
V
VC: Vital capacity
VCT: Venous clotting time
VDRL: Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (test for syphilis)
VO: Verbal or voice order
VSS: Vital signs stable
W
W: Water
WB: Whole blood
WBC: White blood cell or count
WBR: Whole body radiation
WD: Well developed
WIA: Wounded in action
WN: Well nourished
WNL: Within normal limits
WOP: Without pain
Y
yo: Years old
YOB: Year of birth
Z
ZSB: Zero stools since birth