Medical Math Flashcards
Basics (Prefixes)
Mega-
Abbreviation - M
1,000,000
is a prefix used to indicate a million times a unit.
For instance, a megabyte in medical data could represent a very large amount of information, like one million patient records or images. This prefix helps healthcare professionals manage and quantify vast amounts of data efficiently.
Basics (Prefixes)
Kilo-
Abbreviation - K
1,000
is a prefix used to indicate a thousand times a unit.
For example, a kilogram (kg) is equal to 1000 grams, and a kilometer (km) is equal to 1000 meters. In medical contexts, you might encounter terms like “kilocalories,” which represent a unit of energy in food. When you see “kilo-“ in medical measurements, it means you are dealing with a quantity that is a thousand times larger than the base unit.
Basics (Prefixes)
Hecto-
Abbreviation - K
100
is a prefix used to indicate one hundred times a unit.
For instance, a hectogram is equal to 100 grams. This prefix is used to express quantities that are one hundred times larger than the base unit in the metric system.
Basics (Prefixes)
Deka-/Deca-
Abbrevation - da
10
is a prefix used to indicate ten times a unit.
For example, a decagram is equal to 10 grams. The prefix “deka-“ or “deca-“ is used to express quantities that are ten times larger than the base unit in the metric system.
Basics (Prefixes)
Deci-
Abbrevation - d
1/10
is a prefix used to indicate one-tenth or 1/10 of a unit.
For example, a deciliter (dL) is equal to one-tenth of a liter (L). This prefix is used to express quantities that are divided by ten, making the unit smaller.
Basics (Prefixes)
One-Tenth
0.1
refers to dividing a unit or quantity into ten equal parts.
For instance, a deciliter (dL) is one-tenth of a liter (L). It’s a way to express smaller measurements in the metric system, commonly used in medical contexts for precise measurements of volume or mass.
Basics (Prefixes)
Centi-
Abbreviation - c
1/100
Basics (Prefixes)
One-Hundreth
0.01
Basics (Prefixes)
Milli-
Abbrevation - m
1/1,000
Basics (Prefixes)
One-Thousandth
0.001
Basics (Prefixes)
Micro-
Abbrevation - mc
1/1,000,000
Basics (Prefixes)
One-Millionth
0.000001
Basics (Length)
Millimeter
Abbrevation - mm
A millimeter is a unit of length in the metric system, equal to one thousandth of a meter. It is commonly used to measure small lengths, thicknesses, and diameters.
Medical Definition:
In medical contexts, millimeter (mm) is frequently used to measure various medical parameters such as the size of tumors, the diameter of blood vessels, the thickness of skin lesions, and other small anatomical structures. Medical imaging techniques like ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI often provide measurements in millimeters, which are crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning in healthcare.
Basics (Length)
Centimeter
Abbreviation - cm