Transcript Slide 1

Systems of Measurement in Veterinary
Pharmacology
Dr. Dipa Brahmbhatt VMD, MS, MPH
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ID and convert within and between metric,
household and apothecary
Calculate drug dose: tablets/ solutions
Calculate solutions
Calculate dilutions
If time permits: fluid calculations (mostly in
special topics: review)
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Refer to the practice problems in the back of chapter 2.
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And…
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CPTVT: Chapter 2
Dilutions and Solutions handout
Medical Mathematics and Dosage Calculations for
Veterinary Professionals
◦ CHAPTER 6
◦ CHAPTER 8
◦ CHAPTER 10
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Homework: Dose, Solution, Dilution
◦ What are my advisement times? 
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Household system: lacks standardization;
not accurate for measuring medicine
Metric system: developed in late 18th
century to standardize measures and
weights for European countries
◦ Units based on factors of 10
◦ Prefixes denote increases or decreases in size of
unit
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Apothecary system: system of liquid units
of measure used chiefly by pharmacists
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Uses household measures when an
approximate dose is acceptable
Uses a system of weights and measures
based on 1 pound containing 16 fluid
ounces
Calibrated in units that most people are
familiar with such as teaspoon and cup
The drop, tablespoon, and teaspoon are the
only household measures still used in
pharmacology
◦ Disinfectants: cups, quarts and gallon
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System of liquid measure used by pharmacists; also
called the common system
Derived from the British apothecary system of
measures
Units in the apothecary system:
◦ Volume: Minim = liquid volume of a drop
of water from a standard medicine dropper
 60 minims = 1 fluid dram
 8 fluid dram = 1 ounce
◦ Weight: Grain = basic unit of weight measurement
 1 grain of wheat = 60 mg.
 480 grains = 1 oz = 1 oz , 12 oz = 1 lb
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A.k.a. the international system (SI)
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Units are based on factors of 10
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Base units are meter (length), liter (volume),
and gram (weight)
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King – kilo (k)- = one thousand units = 1,000 (103)
Henry – hecto- = one hundred units = 100 (102)
Died – deka- = ten units = 10 (10)
L = vol.; Mightily = meter; G = gram = 1 unit = 1
Drinking – deci (d)- = one tenth of unit = 0.1 (10-1)
Chocolate – centi (c)- = one hundredth of unit = 0.01 (10-2)
Milk – mili (m)- = one thousanth of unit = 0.001 (10-3)
More – micro (µ or mc) - = one millionth of unit = 0.000001 (10-6)
Naughtily – nano (n) - = one billionth of unit = 0.000000001 (10-9)
kg to g = move decimal point 3 places to the right
g to kg = move decimal point 3 place to the left
l to ml = move decimal point 3 places to the right
ml to l = move decimal point 3 places to the left
Converting from larger to smaller units – multiply (MORE)
Converting from smaller to larger units – divide (LESS)
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KNOW TABLE 2-3 pg. 33
Always validate answer.
66 lbs = __________ kg.
1 kg = 2.2 lb
X = 66 lb
X = (66 lb / 2.2 lb) * 1 kg
= 30 kg
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In the Fahrenheit system, water freezes at 32
degrees; water boils at 212 degrees
In the Celsius system, water freezes at 0 degrees;
water boils at 100 degrees
Comparison:
◦ 212 – 32 = 180
◦ 100 – 0 = 100
◦ 180 ÷ 100 = 1.8
C = (F – 32)/1.8
F = 1.8C + 32
98.6 F = ___________ Celsius
Degree Celsius = (Degree Fahrenheit – 32)/1.8
Degree Celsius = (98.6 degree Fahrenheit – 32)/ 1.8 = 37 degree Celsius
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Must know correct amount of drug to
administer to a patient
Must be in same system of measurement
Weight conversion factor: 2.2 lb = 1 kg
Remember that drugs can be measured in
mcg, mg, g, gr, ml, l, units
Remember that drugs can be dispensed or
administered in tablets, ml, l, capsules
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STEP 1: Convert weight into kg (IF DOSAGE
mg/kg)
◦ 1 kg = 2.2 lbs
◦ X = 22 lbs
◦ X = (22 lbs/ 2.2lbs) * 1 kg = 10 kg
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STEP 2: From dosage to dose
◦ Dosage: 2mg/kg
◦ Dose: 10kg * 2mg/kg = 20 mg
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STEP 3: From dose to amount administered
◦ 20 mg
◦ Tablets: 40 mg, 80 mg and 100 mg
 ½ of the 40 mg tablet (assuming that tablet is scored!!)
 ½ tablet – 40 mg
◦ Solution: 10 mg/ ml
 (20 mg/ 10 mg) * 1 ml = 2 ml
 2 ml of 10mg/ml drug solution
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STEP 4: Total dose: BID for 7 days
 Tablet: 7 tablets
 Solution: 28 ml of the 10mg/ml solution
HOMEWORK 1 DOSAGE DUE TOMORROW
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Romich, J.A. Pharmacology for Veterinary
Technicians, 2nd edition. 2010.
Bill, R.L. Clinical Pharmacology and
Therapeutics for the Veterinary Technician,
3rd edition. 2006.
Bill, R.L. Medical Mathematics and Dosage
Calculations for Veterinary Professionals, 2nd
edition. 2009.