1. Clinical Calculation 5th Edition
Chapter 1
Dimensional Analysis
Pages 1-18

2. Introduction
Clinical calculations: refers to the solving of computational problems associated with administration of medications.
Determining correct dosage needed
There are different approach to clinical calculations
Ratio and Proportion ( this methods may becomes cumbersome and confusing if 2 or more conversion may be required)
DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

3. Dimensional Analysis
Is a computation method whereby one particular unit of measure is converted to another unit of measure by use of a conversion factor or factors
It focus on quantity of unit in a problem that needs to be converted in the same or in the another system of measurement.

4. Known factors (learned) Obtained from Table
continued
Starting factor: the known quantity and unit.
Answer: Desired Unit.
Conversion factors: Utilized to convert one system of measurement to another.
Known factors (learned)
Obtained from Table

5. Steps in Dimensional Analysis
Determining the starting factor and answer UNIT.
Formulating a conversion equations
LABEL FACTORS
Conversion factors
Solving the conversion equation by use of cancellation and simple arithmetic.

6. Example 1: How many feet are there in 5 yards?
We are converting from yard to feet
Starting factor in this problem is:
5 yards
Final or ending unit in this problem is
Feet (ft)
Conversion factor in this problem is
3 feet = 1 yard

7. Example 2 How many minutes are in 480 seconds
We are converting from seconds to minutes
Starting factor in this problem is:
480 seconds
Final or ending unit in this problem is
minutes
Conversion factor in this problem is
60 seconds = 1 minutes

8. Example 3 How many ounces are there in 4 cups?
We are converting from cups to ounces
Starting factor in this problem is:
4 cups
Final or ending unit in this problem is
ounces
Conversion factor in this problem is
8 ounce = 1 cup

9. Step II – Formulating the conversion equation
The second step in dimensional analysis is to setup a sequential series of equivalent values called conversion factors
For example:
60 sec = 1 min
The conversion factor OR
Note that all the conversions are 1:1 relationships and when written as conversion factors, the denominator and numerators can be interchangeable.

10. More on conversion factors
Approximate Equivalents
You must know
Table
There are some approximate equivalent sometimes fall within a range for example mg = 1 grain (gr) or 4-5 ml = dram (dr) 1
For our purpose here we will use table 5-1 in chapter 5 (page 35 in the book) or the handout in class.
During the test, we will use the handout.

11. Identifying the Equivalents
How many quarters are there in $25.00? Page 8, #3
Equivalent value: 4 quarters = $1.00
How many milliliters would be administered if the order was for 2 teaspoons? Page 8, #10
Equivalent value: 30 mL = 6 tsp (t)

12. How many quarters are there in $25.00? Page 8, #3
Starting factor: $25.00
Ending unit: quarters
Equivalent value: 4 quarters = $1.00

13. How many milliliters would be administered if the order was for 2 teaspoons? Page 8, #10
Starting factor: 2 teaspoon (t)
Ending unit: mL
Equivalent value: 30 mL = 6 teaspoon (table 1-1)

14. Clinical Calculation 5th Edition
Chapter 2
The metric System of Measurement
Pages 19-24

15. Basic Unit of Measurement in Metric System
Weight
gram (g)
Volume
Liter (L)
Length
Meter (m)

16. Factors of 10 Metric Prefixes mega (M) micro (mc) kilo (k) hecto (h)
deca (da)
deci (d)
milli (m)
centi ( c )
Base unit
deka = 10
hecto = 100
kilo = 1,000
Mega = 1,000,000
deci = 0.1
centi = 0.01
milli = 0.001
micro =

17. Metric Prefixes - gram microgram (mcg) Mega gram (Mg) (ton)
hectogram (hg)
microgram (mcg)
Mega gram (Mg) (ton)
dekagram (dag)
centigram ( cg )
kilogram (kg)
decigram (dg)
milligram (mg)
gram (g)
1 dekagram = 10 g
1 hectogram = 100 g
1 kilogram = 1,000 g
1 Mega gram = 1,000,000 g
1 decigram = 0.1 g
1 centigram = 0.01 g
1 milligram = g
1 microgram = g

18. Convert 375 mg to g (page 24, #3) Starting factor: 375 mg
Ending unit: g
Conversion factor: 1000mg = 1 g

19. Metric Prefixes - meter
millimeter (mm)
micrometer (mcm)
megameter (Mm)
hectometer (Hm)
decameter (Dm)
decimeter (dm)
centimeter ( cm )
kilometer (Km)
Meter (m)
1 dekameter = 10 m
1 hectometer = 100 m
1 kilometer = 1,000 m
1 Mega meter = 1,000,000 m
1 decimeter = 0.1 m
1 centimeter = 0.01 m
1 millimeter = m
1 micrometer = m

20. Convert 29 cm to m (page 24, #5) Starting factor: 29 cm Ending unit: m
Conversion factor: 100 cm = 1 m

21. Convert 25 mm to cm (page 24, #9)
Starting factor: 25 mm
Ending unit: cm
Conversion factor: 10 mm = 1 cm

22. Metric Prefixes - Liter
megaliter (ML)
kiloliter (kL)
hectoliter (hL)
decaliter (daL)
deciliter (dL)
milliliter (mL)
microliter (mcL)
centiliter ( cL )
Liter (L)
1 dekaliter = 10 L
1 hectoliter = 100 L
1 kiloliter = 1,000 L
1 Megaliter = 1,000,000 L
1 deciliter = 0.1 L
1 centiliter = 0.01 L
1 milliliter = L
A microliter = L

23. Convert 0.75 L to mL (page 24, #6) Starting factor: 0.75 mL
Ending unit: L
Conversion factor: 1000mL = 1 L

24. Clinical Calculation 5th Edition
Chapter 3
The Apothecaries System of Measurement
Pages

25. Apothecaries Basic units and Abbreviations
Weight
grain (gr)
Volume
Minim
Fluid dram = drams
Fluid ounce = ounces
For dry weight they also use drams and ounces, but it is rarely used.
In traditional apothecaries system one pound consists of 12 (dry weight) ounces.
What is conversion that is used today 1 pound = ?? ounces?

26. Table 3-2 – Apothecaries Notations
1/10 grain = gr 1/10
1 grain = gr I
1 ½ grain = gr 1 ½
7 grain = gr vii
10 grain = gr x
15 minims = minims 15
150 minims = minims 150
2 ½ ounces = oz 2 ½

27. Table 3-3 Apothecaries Fluid units
60 minims = 1 dr
8 dr = 1 oz
16 oz = 1 pt
2pt = 1 qt
pt = pint
qt = quarts

28. Convert within the apothecaries system 2 pts to dr (page 29, #8)
Starting factor: 2 pts
Ending unit: dr
Conversion factors: 16 oz = 1pt; 8 dr = 1 oz
Please note that I had to use more than one conversion factors in order to reach my ending units

29. Clinical Calculation 5th Edition
Chapter 4
The Household System of Measurement
Pages

30. Basic Unit of Measurement in Household System
Weight
Pounds (lbs)
Ounces (oz)
Length
Inch (in)
Feet (ft)
Yard (yard)
Mile (mile)
Volume
Gallon (gal)
Ounce (oz)
Teacup (teacup)
Cup/Glass (c/gl)
Quart (qt)
Pint (pt)
Teaspoon (tsp) (t)
Tablespoon (tbs) (T)
Drop (gtt)

31. Table 4-2 Household Equivalents and more
60 gtt = 1 tsp
3 tsp = 1 tbs
2 tbs = 1 oz
6 oz = 1 teacup
8 oz = 1 cup/glass
16 oz = 1 pt
2 pt = 1 qt
4 qt = 1 gal
16 oz = 1 lb
12 in = 1 ft
3 ft = 1 yard
5280 ft = 1 mile

32. Convert within the household system 1 glass to tsp (page 33, #1)
Starting factor: 1 glass
Ending unit: teaspoon
Conversion factors: 8oz = 1 cup; 2 tbs = 1 oz; 3 tsp = 1 tbs
Please note that I had to use more than one conversion factors in order to reach my ending units

33. Convert within the household system ½ gal to oz
Starting factor: ½ gallon (gal)
Ending unit: ounces (oz)
Conversion factors: 16 oz = 1 pt; 2 pt = 1 qt; 4 qt = 1 gal
Please note that I had to use more than one conversion factors in order to reach my ending units

34. Clinical Calculation 5th Edition
Chapter 5
Conversion of Metric, Apothecaries, and Household Units
Pages

35. Table 5-1 Approximate Equivalent among Metric, Apothecaries and Household Units – Dry Weight
= dram or fluid dram
= ounce or fluid ounce

36. Table 5-1 Approximate Equivalent among Metric, Apothecaries and Household Units - Liquid

37. Table 5-1 Approximate Equivalent among Metric, Apothecaries and Household Units - Length

38. Convert and round to nearest tenth oz iv to tbs (page 38, #8)
Starting factor: oz iv = 4 oz
Ending unit: tbs
Conversion factors: 1 oz = 8 tbs
If problem asks to round to nearest tenth, then the final answer has to be written that way and with correct unit, 32.0tbs otherwise it is counted incorrect.

39. Convert and round to nearest tenth minims XX to mL (page 38, #7)
Starting factor: minims XX = 20 minims
Ending unit: mL
Conversion factors: 75 minims = 5 mL
If problem asks to round to nearest tenth, then the final answer has to be written that way and with correct unit, 1.3mL otherwise it is counted incorrect.

40. Convert and round to nearest tenth 157lb to kg (page 39, #20)
Starting factor: 157lb
Ending unit: kg
Conversion factors: 2.2 lbs = 1 kg
If problem asks to round to nearest tenth, then the final answer has to be written that way and with correct unit, 71.4kg otherwise it is counted incorrect.

41. Convert and round to nearest tenth 5.5 g to gr (page 39, #28)
Starting factor: 5.5g
Ending unit: gr
Conversion factors: 60mg=15gr; 1000mg= 1g OR 1 g = 15 gr You may use either of the two equivalent, they both consider correct, one is more direct conversion
ss = ½ your test book may not use this, but your handout may refer to it.
If problem asks to round to nearest tenth, then the final answer has to be written that way and with correct unit, 82.5gr otherwise it is counted incorrect.

42. Convert and round to nearest tenth 6 tsp to dr (page 39, #18)
Starting factor: 6 tsp
Ending unit: dr
Conversion factors: 4 dr = 3 tsp
If problem asks to round to nearest tenth, then the final answer has to be written that way and with correct unit, 8.0dr otherwise it is counted incorrect.