Module 7: Weights and Measures

Gallon (gal)

A US Standard unit for measuring larger amounts of liquids. Milk is sold by the gallon.

Pint (pt)

A US Standard unit for measuring liquid. One pint is equal to about half a liter or 2 cups.

Quart

A US Standard unit for measuring liquids. One quart is equal to one-quarter of a gallon.

Liter

A metric unit for measuring liquids. An average bottled water is about 1 liter.

Milliliter (ml)

A metric unit for measuring smaller amounts of liquids. There are 1000 milliliters in a liter. Liquid medications are administered in milliliters.

Gram

A metric unit used to measure the weight of small objects. A paperclip, a stick of gum, and a dollar bill all weigh about 1 gram each.

Yard (yd)

A unit of length in the US Standard (or household) system. There are 3 feet in one yard. One big step for an adult is approximately equal to one yard.

Foot (ft)

A unit of length that equals 12 inches. Both a license plate and an average man's shoe are about 1 foot long.

Ounce (oz)

A unit of weight in the US Standard (or household) system. A pencil or a slice of wholegrain bread are examples of things that weigh about 1 ounce

Teaspoon (tsp)

A very small amount of liquid. One teaspoon is about 5 ml.

Greenwich

Also known as standard time

Fluid Ounce (fl oz)

An ounce is measuring weight while a fluid ounce is measuring volume. 1oz = 30ml

Centimeter

Each meter can be broken into 100 centimeters. A centimeter is about as long as a staple, or as wide as a blueberry.

Tablespoon (Tbsp)

Equivalent is three teaspoons.

Military Time (or International time)

In the medical field, you may be asked to document using military time. Military time is a way to tell time with 24 hours, where a day starts at 0 hours and ends at 24 hours. In military time, the times are written in 4 digits and no colon ( : ) in the middle. And there is no A.M. or P.M. needed.

Kilogram (Kg)

The base unit of mass in the International System of Units, the current metric system, having the unit symbol kg and equals to 1000 grams. A kilogram is used to measure heavier objects. In health care, your clients' weights may be measured in kilograms

Meter (M)

The basic unit of length in the metric system. It is equal to 100 centimeters or just under 40 inches. A meter is about the width of a doorway or the length of a baseball

Inch (in)

The smallest unit on the Standard ruler. The last joint of your finger or thumb is about 1 inch

Pound (lb)

Unit of measure for weight; 1lb = 16 ounces. Both a can of beans and a large apple weigh about 1 pound each.

Metric System

Weight is measured in KILOGRAMS(kg). Length is measured in CENTIMETERS (cm). Liquid is measure in MILLILITERS (ml).

Household System

Weight is measured in pounds (lbs). Length is measured in inches (in). Liquid is measured in ounces (oz).