The document covers essential mathematical concepts needed for healthcare professionals, including basic arithmetic operations and the metric system. It explains the significance of understanding numbers, measurements, and the correct usage of metric abbreviations. Additionally, it details conversions between various units of measurement and the 24-hour military time system used in medical facilities.

1. Medical Math
Medical Math
for Healthcare
for Healthcare
Professionals
Professionals

2. Medical Math
Medical Math
 All health care workers are required
All health care workers are required
to perform simple math calculations
to perform simple math calculations
when doing various tasks.
when doing various tasks.
 Knowing basic math calculations are
Knowing basic math calculations are
essential for all health care
essential for all health care
professionals to be successful.
professionals to be successful.

3. Numbers
Numbers
 Numbers are expressed in different
Numbers are expressed in different
forms:
forms:
– Whole numbers
Whole numbers: are the counting
: are the counting
numbers and zero; they do not contain
numbers and zero; they do not contain
decimals or fractions
decimals or fractions
– Nonwhole numbers
Nonwhole numbers: are numbers that
: are numbers that
have decimals ex: 12.25
have decimals ex: 12.25
– Mixed numbers:
Mixed numbers: are whole numbers and
are whole numbers and
a fraction ex: 12 ½
a fraction ex: 12 ½
– Percetages:
Percetages: the whole or all of
the whole or all of
something ex: 12%
something ex: 12%

4. Numbers
Numbers
 Numbers that have more than one digit
Numbers that have more than one digit
are defined by their place value. For ex:
are defined by their place value. For ex:
– The number 7777
The number 7777
 Place value
Place value
– 7 (thousands)
7 (thousands)
– 7 (hundreds)
7 (hundreds)
– 7 (tens)
7 (tens)
– 7 (ones)
7 (ones)
*This number is described by saying “seven thousand,
*This number is described by saying “seven thousand,
seven hundred seventy-seven”
seven hundred seventy-seven”
*Numbers are written with a comma placed to the left of
*Numbers are written with a comma placed to the left of
every third digit. 7,777
every third digit. 7,777

5. Numbers
Numbers
 Numbers indicating less than a whole
Numbers indicating less than a whole
number are placed to the right of a
number are placed to the right of a
decimal.
decimal.
– The number 7,777.255 is given the following
The number 7,777.255 is given the following
place values
place values
 Place value
Place value
– 7, (thousands)
7, (thousands)
– 7 (hundreds)
7 (hundreds)
– 7 (tens)
7 (tens)
– 7. (ones)
7. (ones)
– 2 (tenths)
2 (tenths)
– 5 (hundredths)
5 (hundredths)
– 5 (thousandths)
5 (thousandths)
*It is written 7,777.255 and described as “seven
*It is written 7,777.255 and described as “seven
thousand, seven hundred seventy-seven and two
thousand, seven hundred seventy-seven and two
hundred and fifty-five thousandths”
hundred and fifty-five thousandths”

6. Numbers
Numbers
 Additions
Additions- the totaling of two or more
- the totaling of two or more
numbers
numbers
 Subtraction
Subtraction- the opposite of addition;
- the opposite of addition;
taking a number away from another
taking a number away from another
number
number
 Multiplication
Multiplication- a quick easy way to
- a quick easy way to
add; finding the product of two
add; finding the product of two
numbers
numbers
 Division
Division- the opposite of
- the opposite of
multiplication; the process of
multiplication; the process of
separating into parts
separating into parts

7. The Metric System
The Metric System
 The health care worker is expected
The health care worker is expected
to measure and calculate weights,
to measure and calculate weights,
heights, and volume in metric units
heights, and volume in metric units
of measure.
of measure.
 Understanding how to convert
Understanding how to convert
standard and metric units of
standard and metric units of
measure is helpful in various
measure is helpful in various
settings
settings

8. Metric System
Metric System
 The health care industry uses the
The health care industry uses the
metric system for measuring. It is
metric system for measuring. It is
used by 90% of the world and is
used by 90% of the world and is
known as the International System
known as the International System
of Units.
of Units.

9. 4 Basic Rules of Metric System
4 Basic Rules of Metric System
1.
1. Numbers indicating less than one unit are always written
Numbers indicating less than one unit are always written
in a decimal form, not as fractions. Ex: 1/10=0.1
in a decimal form, not as fractions. Ex: 1/10=0.1 or
or
1/100=0.01
1/100=0.01 or
or 1/1000=0.001
1/1000=0.001
2.
2. When writing decimals, if there is no number before the
When writing decimals, if there is no number before the
decimal, always write a 0. Ex: .1 is 0.1
decimal, always write a 0. Ex: .1 is 0.1 or
or .5 is 0.5
.5 is 0.5
3.
3. Abbreviations for metric terms are never plural; they are
Abbreviations for metric terms are never plural; they are
always written in singular form. Ex: grams is g, not gs;
always written in singular form. Ex: grams is g, not gs;
liters is L, not Ls. Always capitalize the abbreviation for L
liters is L, not Ls. Always capitalize the abbreviation for L
for liter to reduce confusing the lowercase l with the 1.
for liter to reduce confusing the lowercase l with the 1.
4.
4. Leave a space between the number and the abbreviation,
Leave a space between the number and the abbreviation,
as shown in the following ex: 8 g or 0.1 dm.
as shown in the following ex: 8 g or 0.1 dm.

10. Metric Terms and Abbreviations
Metric Terms and Abbreviations
Term
Term Abbreviations
Abbreviations Measures
Measures In Place of
In Place of
Meter
Meter m
m length
length Inch, foot,
Inch, foot,
yard, mile
yard, mile
gram
gram g
g weight
weight Ounce,
Ounce,
pound
pound
liter
liter L
L volume
volume Fluid ounce,
Fluid ounce,
cup, pint,
cup, pint,
quart,
quart,
gallon
gallon

11. Metric Terms and Abbreviations
Metric Terms and Abbreviations
Term
Term Abbreviations
Abbreviations What is Measures
What is Measures
kilo
kilo k
k 1,000 units
1,000 units
hecto
hecto h
h 100 units
100 units

12. Metric Terms and Abbreviations
Metric Terms and Abbreviations
Term
Term Abbreviation
Abbreviation What is Measures
What is Measures
deci
deci d
d 1/10 or 0.1 unit
1/10 or 0.1 unit
centi
centi c
c 1/100 or 0.01
1/100 or 0.01
unit
unit
milli
milli m
m 1/1000 or
1/1000 or
0.001 unit
0.001 unit

13. Using the Metric System to Measure
Using the Metric System to Measure
 A meter stick can be used to
A meter stick can be used to
measure length in the following
measure length in the following
units:
units:
– Centimeter (cm)
Centimeter (cm)
– Millimeter (mm)
Millimeter (mm)
– Meters (m)
Meters (m)
*1 meter is slightly more
*1 meter is slightly more
than 3 ft
than 3 ft

14. Measurements
Measurements
 Measures of Length
Measures of Length
– 1 hectogram= 100 meters
1 hectogram= 100 meters
– 1.5 hectogram= 150 meters
1.5 hectogram= 150 meters
– 1 kilometer= 1,000 meters
1 kilometer= 1,000 meters
– 1.5 kilometer= 1,500 meteres
1.5 kilometer= 1,500 meteres
 Measures of Weight
Measures of Weight
– 1 hectogram= 100 g
1 hectogram= 100 g
– 1.5 hectogram= 150 g
1.5 hectogram= 150 g
– 1 kilogram= 1,000 g
1 kilogram= 1,000 g
– 1.5 kilogram= 1,500 g
1.5 kilogram= 1,500 g

15. Using Metric System to Measure
Using Metric System to Measure
 Liters, Milliliters and Cubic Centimeters
Liters, Milliliters and Cubic Centimeters
– A liter (L) is slightly larger than a quart
A liter (L) is slightly larger than a quart
– A milliliter (mL) is 1/1000 of a liter
A milliliter (mL) is 1/1000 of a liter
– Cubic Centimeter (CC) are interchangeable with
Cubic Centimeter (CC) are interchangeable with
mL
mL
– Scales
Scales can be used to measure weight in
can be used to measure weight in
grams, hectograms, and kilograms
grams, hectograms, and kilograms
– Celsius (C) and Centigrade
Celsius (C) and Centigrade- the metric
- the metric
measure of heat is Celsius or centigrade, which
measure of heat is Celsius or centigrade, which
are the same.
are the same.

16. Changing Ounces to Millimeters and Cubic
Changing Ounces to Millimeters and Cubic
Centimeters (cc)
Centimeters (cc)
1 oz medicine
1 oz medicine 1 oz x 30 cc/mL = 30 cc=30 mL
1 oz x 30 cc/mL = 30 cc=30 mL
8 oz water
8 oz water 8 oz x 30 cc/mL = 240 cc= 240mL
8 oz x 30 cc/mL = 240 cc= 240mL
6 oz soup
6 oz soup 6 oz x 30 cc/mL = 180 cc = 180mL
6 oz x 30 cc/mL = 180 cc = 180mL
4 oz juice
4 oz juice 4 oz x 30 cc/mL = 120 cc = 120mL
4 oz x 30 cc/mL = 120 cc = 120mL
12 oz soda
12 oz soda 12 oz x 30 cc/mL = 360 cc = 360mL
12 oz x 30 cc/mL = 360 cc = 360mL

17. Measuring Devices
Measuring Devices
 Health care workers use various
Health care workers use various
types of measuring devices to
types of measuring devices to
measure liquid.
measure liquid.

18. Changing Pounds to Kilograms and
Changing Pounds to Kilograms and
Kilograms to Pounds
Kilograms to Pounds
 110 lb changed to kilograms: 110 lb x 0.45 kg/lb
110 lb changed to kilograms: 110 lb x 0.45 kg/lb
= 49.5 kg
= 49.5 kg
 200 lb changed to kg: 200 lb x 0.45 x kg/lb = 91
200 lb changed to kg: 200 lb x 0.45 x kg/lb = 91
kg
kg
 50 kg changed to lb = 50 kg x 2.2 lb/kg = 110 lb
50 kg changed to lb = 50 kg x 2.2 lb/kg = 110 lb
 91 kg changed to lb = 91 kg x 2.2 lb/kg = 200 lb
91 kg changed to lb = 91 kg x 2.2 lb/kg = 200 lb
 To change lb to kg, multiply the number of lbs by
To change lb to kg, multiply the number of lbs by
0.45 lb/kg
0.45 lb/kg
 To change kg to lb, multiply the number of kg by
To change kg to lb, multiply the number of kg by
2.2 lb/kg
2.2 lb/kg

19. Changing Ounces to Grams
Changing Ounces to Grams
 One ounce (oz) = 30 grams (g).
One ounce (oz) = 30 grams (g).
 To change ounces to grams, multiply 30
To change ounces to grams, multiply 30
g/oz by the number of ounces.
g/oz by the number of ounces.
 To change grams to ounces, divide 30
To change grams to ounces, divide 30
g/oz into the number of grams
g/oz into the number of grams
 1 oz changed to grams: 1 oz x 30 g/oz =
1 oz changed to grams: 1 oz x 30 g/oz =
30 g
30 g
 8 oz changed to grams: 8 oz x 30 g/oz =
8 oz changed to grams: 8 oz x 30 g/oz =
240 g
240 g

20. 24 hour/Military Time Clock
24 hour/Military Time Clock
 Medical facilities frequently use the 24-hour clock
Medical facilities frequently use the 24-hour clock
system. The 24-hour clock system clearly states
system. The 24-hour clock system clearly states
time and eliminates confusion on documentation.
time and eliminates confusion on documentation.
 Military time is always expressed in four digits
Military time is always expressed in four digits
and no colons are used to separate hours and
and no colons are used to separate hours and
minutes.
minutes.
 Always use a 0 to complete the four digit number
Always use a 0 to complete the four digit number
ex: for 1:00am = 0100
ex: for 1:00am = 0100
 Remember to state the time in hundreds
Remember to state the time in hundreds
ex: 1:00 am= 0100= zero one hundred hours;
ex: 1:00 am= 0100= zero one hundred hours;
1100= eleven hundred hours (11am)
1100= eleven hundred hours (11am)
*
*Greenwich time-
Greenwich time- standard time; a 12-hour clock
standard time; a 12-hour clock

21. Military- 24-hour clock
Military- 24-hour clock