Chapter 4

Question 1

What are the three main measurement systems used in medicine?

Answer 1

Household (U.S. Customary) System
Metric (International) System
Apothecary System

Question 2

What is the basic unit of volume in the metric system?

Answer 2

Liter (L)

Question 3

How many milliliters (mL) are in 1 liter (L)?

Answer 3

1,000 mL

Question 4

What is the basic unit of weight in the metric system?

Answer 4

Gram (g)

Question 5

Convert 1 kilogram (kg) to grams (g).

Answer 5

1 kg = 1,000 g

Question 6

How many grams (g) are in 1 milligram (mg)?

Answer 6

1,000 mg = 1 g

Question 7

What is the smallest unit of measurement in the metric system used in pharmacy?

Answer 7

Microgram (mcg or µg)

Question 8

How many micrograms (mcg) are in 1 milligram (mg)?

Answer 8

1,000 mcg = 1 mg

Question 9

In the household system, how many teaspoons (tsp) are in one tablespoon (Tbsp)?

Answer 9

3 tsp = 1 Tbsp

Question 10

Convert 1 cup (c) to ounces (oz) in the household system.

Answer 10

1 cup = 8 oz

Question 11

What is the abbreviation for tablespoon in the household system?

Answer 11

Tbsp or T

Question 12

What is the basic unit of length in the metric system?

Answer 12

Meter (m)

Question 13

Convert 1 meter (m) to centimeters (cm).

Answer 13

1 m = 100 cm

Question 14

What is the household abbreviation for pound?

Answer 14

lb

Question 15

How many ounces (oz) are in one pound (lb) in the household system?

Answer 15

16 oz = 1 lb

Question 16

In the apothecary system, what is the basic unit of weight?

Answer 16

Grain (gr)

Question 17

What is the apothecary unit of volume?

Answer 17

Fluid dram (fl ʒ)

Question 18

How many fluid drams (fl ʒ) are in one fluid ounce (fl ℥)?

Answer 18

8 fluid drams = 1 fluid ounce

Question 19

What are milliequivalents (mEq) used for in pharmacy?

Answer 19

To express the concentration of electrolytes (e.g., sodium, potassium, calcium).

Question 20

What is the meaning of the abbreviation “IU” in pharmacy?

Answer 20

International Unit – used to measure the potency of biologics like insulin or vitamins.

Question 21

What are some common abbreviations used in the household system?

Answer 21

Teaspoon = tsp
Tablespoon = Tbsp
Ounce = oz
Pound = lb
Cup = c
Pint = pt
Quart = qt
Gallon = gal

Question 22

What are the key rules for expressing measurements in the metric system?

Answer 22

Use decimals, not fractions (e.g., 1.5 mL, not 1½ mL).

Always include a leading zero for values less than 1 (e.g., 0.25 mg).

Do not include trailing zeros (e.g., 2.5 mL, not 2.50 mL).

Question 23

How many milliliters (mL) are in one cubic centimeter (cc)?

Answer 23

1 mL = 1 cc

Question 24

What is the standard abbreviation for milliliter?

Answer 24

mL (Note: cc is not recommended for use due to potential for error).

Question 25

How many teaspoons (tsp) are in one ounce (oz)?

Answer 25

6 tsp = 1 oz

Question 26

In the household system, how many tablespoons (Tbsp) are in one ounce (oz)?

Answer 26

2 Tbsp = 1 oz

Question 27

Convert 1 gallon to quarts (qt).

Answer 27

1 gallon = 4 quarts

Question 28

How is specific gravity defined?

Answer 28

The ratio of the density of a substance to the density of water.

Question 29

In the apothecary system, what is the abbreviation for grain?

Answer 29

gr

Question 30

What is the conversion for teaspoons to milliliters (mL) in the household system?

Answer 30

1 tsp = 5 mL

Question 31

How many milligrams (mg) are in one gram (g)?

Answer 31

1,000 mg = 1 g

Question 32

What are the common prefixes used in the metric system?

Answer 32

Kilo = 1,000
Centi = 1/100
Milli = 1/1,000
Micro = 1/1,000,000

Question 33

In the metric system, how many grams are in a kilogram?

Answer 33

1,000 grams = 1 kilogram

Question 34

What are the common equivalents in the household system for weight?

Answer 34

16 oz = 1 lb
2,000 lb = 1 ton

Question 35

What are the points to remember about the household system?

Answer 35

Uses fractions and Arabic numerals (e.g., ½ tsp).

Household flatware should not be used to measure medication.

Use a measuring device for accurate dosing.

Question 36

What are the points to remember about the metric system?

Answer 36

A system of “place values” with the gram, liter, and meter as base units.

Leading zeros should always be used (e.g., 0.25 mL).

Do not use trailing zeros (e.g., 2.5 mg, not 2.50 mg).

Question 37

What are the points to remember about the apothecary system?

Answer 37

Uses lowercase Roman numerals for numbers below 10.

Fractions are written for numbers less than 1 (e.g., ½ = ss).

Do not combine Roman and Arabic numerals in the same measurement.

Question 38

How many fluid ounces (fl ℥) are in a pint (pt) in the household system?

Answer 38

1 pint = 16 fluid ounces