Unit 5 Lesson 4: Converting Between Systems Flashcards
Why is it important to know hwo to convert Fahernheit to Celsius and vice versa
Working in healthcare requires being able to convert between the two.
One way to understand the difference between the two systems is to look at the freezing point and boiling point of water.
In Fahrenheit, the freezing point of water is 32°, and the boiling point is 212°. In Centigrade, the freezing point is 0° and the boiling point is 100°.
How to convert Celsius to Fahrenheit
Take the temperature in Centigrade, multiply by 1.8, and then add 32. If it is 21°C outside, you would make the calculation 21 x 1.8= 37.8 and then add 32 to 37.8 to come up with 69.8° Fahrenheit.
How to convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius
To convert from Fahrenheit to Celsius, take the temperature F, subtract 32, then divide that number by 1.8. For example, 98.6° F – 32 = 66.6, then 66.6 ÷ 1.8 = 37. So 37° Celsius is the same temperature as 98.6° Fahrenheit.
Each system of measurement has its own way of naming units. This is called the
nomenclature, and it is important to recognize the system being used by the nomenclature of the units identified.
Example of nomenclature
If a medication amount is specified as ½ tsp., you should be able to recognize that this is in imperial. Likewise, if a patient weight is listed as 57 kg, you would need to know that this measurement is in the metric system. Recognizing the different units of measurement and the different systems will help you avoid errors.
One system that you may also see used is called the apothecary system, whats that?
it is an older system of measuring mass and volume used by physicians and pharmacists for medication dosage.
what does the apothecary system use
This system uses grains, drams, ounces, and pounds, but in the apothecary system, one-pound equals 12 ounces
The next step that you must always do when making conversions is to figure out if the answer you came up with is reasonable. How do you do this?
One way to tell is to take a step back and make sure that if you are converting a larger unit to a smaller unit, as with an inch being bigger than a centimeter, then the result should be a larger number. If the unit you are converting from is smaller, as in converting from pounds to kilograms, the resulting number should be a smaller number. Take a moment to assess your estimated conversion and determine whether it is reasonable or not. It is easy to make mistakes converting, so always check yourself.
How to take the height of infants up to the age of 2
For infants up to the age of two, you will take their height measurement lying down on their back. Using the measuring board for this purpose, cover it with paper, then make sure the infant/toddler’s head is against the top of the device, body is straight, and legs together. Make sure to get a full measurement of the length of the body.
What instruemnt is used to measure the height of older childeren and adults
stadiometer
Whats a stadiometer
a device for measuring human height usually composed of a ruler with a sliding horizontal headpiece adjusted to rest on top of the head
How to measure a person using a stadiometer
Make sure the heels are against the wall and that the person is standing straight, looking directly forward, and has no shoes or hats on.
How to measure someone that uses religous headgear
. For religious headgear, write down the method used to get the closest measurement, but be sensitive to the needs/beliefs of the patient.
How to measure patients who are bedbound and cannot stand
For patients who are bedbound and cannot stand, use a measurement device for the patient lying on their back, if possible.
. For patients who are bedbound and cannot stand, use a measurement device for the patient lying on their back, if possible. Should you do this even for normal patients
However, measurements based on the forearm or lower leg measurements have been shown to be more accurate.
Special care needs to be taken in measuring height for seriously ill patients, why is that?
Special care needs to be taken in measuring height for seriously ill patients as these measurements are used to calculate treatments and inaccurate measurements can throw these off.
Before weighing patients, zero the scale. What does that mean
(make sure the scale reads zero with nothing on it
For a mechanical scale, make sure the pointer is at
zero
How to start with a digital scale
For digital scales, turn on and wait for the zero to come up.
How to weight infants
. Weight for infants and toddlers can be taken on a portable scale covered in paper. All garments, including the diaper must be removed, child placed in the center of the scale, and no one should touch the child when capturing the weight.
How to weight a larger child or adult
Before weighing a larger child or adult, have then remove shoes, jackets, or any other heavy clothing. Have the patient step onto the center of the scale and stand still while you wait for the needle or digital numbers to settle.
If the patient is not able to stand on a scale, how would they be weighed
If the patient is not able to stand on a scale, a chair scale and wheelchair can be used.
. For patients unable to use a chair, hiw would they be weighed
For patients unable to use a chair, there are lift scales or staff may use a method to estimate weight based on specific calculations.
For many populations, testing to determine physical health and fitness are used. These may include a test of how far a patient can walk in a specified time, often measured with a pedometer, whats that
pedometer, a device used to count the number of steps or distance covered during exercise.
Range of motion
Range of motion, measurement of the full movement of a joint, is often taken in physical therapy settings by measuring angles of motion.
capacity
The capacity—maximum amount that something can contain—of the lungs is sometimes measured with a device called a spirometer.
