1. Pharmacy Units Measurements and Abbreviations
There are others in the Student Handout book
The most common ones (Must know)
C=Celsius
F =Fahrenheit
G or gr =Gram
Gr. = grain
L= liter
Ml= Milliliter
Mg=Milligram
Kg=Kilogram
TBSP= tablespoon
TSP= Teaspoon
Gtt= drop

2. Measurement Systems Metric System- began in France in 1795.
Denotes basic units of measurement in 6 main areas:
Mass - Gram
Length- meter
Time- second
Volume- liter
Electricity- Ampere (named after the french mathematician , Andre Marie Ampere) is a unit of electric current.
Temperature – Kelvins
Conversions are made based on factors of ten:
1000 micrograms = 1 milligram, 1000 milligrams= 1 gram

3. Metric System is the preferred system in science and medicine due to its factor of ten basis. Used in most countries in the world
Nano =
Micro =
Milli =0.001
Centi=0.01
Deci = 0.1
Kilo=1,000

4. US Customary Units and British Imperial Systems
Development over centuries in the British Isles and later in the US colonies
Formally standardized in 1824
Still use in the US and Great Britain Today; however, almost all scientific applications use the metric system or the SI system (Système international d'unités )
Avoirdupois system is a subsystem of weights in the US and British Systems based on the pound.
1 pound = 16 ounces = 480 grams (actually slightly less)

5. The follow is a list of weights and their metric equivalents
1 Grain = 65 mg (5 gr aspirin =325 mg) exception: 1 gr of thyroid, phenobarbital, codeine and nitroglycerin) is 60 mg
2.2 pound = 1 kilograms
1 Dram (symbolized by ʒ) = 3.9 g and 1 f ʒ = 3.9 ml
1 ounce = g and 1 fl. Oz= 30 ml
1 pint= 16 ounces and 16 fl.oz= 480 ml
2 pints= 32 ounces and 32 fl.oz = 1 quart = 960 ml=0.96 liters
8 pints= 128 ounces and 128 fl.oz=4 quarts = 1 gallon = 3.8 liters
20 drops = 1 ml

6. Apothecary System
Apothecary system is a system of weights and measure used in Europe during the 18th century by physicians and pharmacist (apothecary)
Is a subset of the British Imperial systems
The following are important to remember in pharmacy
The follow is a list of weights and their metric equivalents
1 Grain = 65 mg (5 gr aspirin =325 mg) exception: 1 gr of thyroid, phenobarbital, codeine and nitroglycerin) is 60 mg
1 Dram (symbolized by ʒ) = 3.9 g and 1 f ʒ = 3.9 ml
The following is the symbols for the ounce, scruple, and the pound
The apothecary pounds is 12 ounces. The apothecary ounce is the troy ounce which is the 31.1 grams. Precious metals and gemstones are weighted in troy ounces. Gold=Au, Silver= Ag, Platinum = Pt

7. Conversions between units
To make a unit conversion note:
units 1 X (unit 2/unit 1) = unit 2
Or use the formula in the book:
Unit you have X (the unit you need/unit you have)= the unit you need

8. Electrolytes and their units
In medicine electrolytes are reported in the following units: mg/dl and mEq/l
Electrolytes that are reported in mEq/l are sodium, potassium.
Normal sodium in humans is 135 mEq/l to 145 mEq/ml
Low plasma sodium is called hyponatremia and high is hypernatremia.
Na is the chemical symbol for sodium. NaCL is the symbol for sodium chloride
Sodium is important in the human body. The level of sodium determines the amount of volume that the body holds and hence its blood pressure.
Sodium is a major determinate of electrically conductivity of nerves and muscles.
A typical order you may see in the hospital for sodium chloride is : infuse NS 500 ml once over 30 minutes
A typical prescription you may see for sodium chloride is: NaCl tablet 1 gram TID.

9. Normal plasma potassium is 4 mEq/l to 5 mEq/l
Low plasma potassium is hypokalemia and high is hyperkalemia
The chemical symbol for potassium is K
High potassium levels (greater than 9 mEq/l) is very dangerous and can be fatal (death is by cardiac asystole)
Potassium is important in conducting electrical impulses in nerves and muscles, like sodium.
Potassium is also responsible for setting the resting cell membrane potential and hence is responsible for the responsiveness of nerve or muscle to “fire” an impulse.
A prescription for KCL you may see in the retail pharmacy is: Kdur 10® 1 tablet PO BID. Kdur® is the brand name for potassium chloride . Its is a wax cover tablet that is designed to mask the intense metallic taste of KCL. You may see Kdur ® listed as 10 meq or (750 mg).
KDur ® is normally given to patients that are taking potassium depleting diuretics like furosemide.

10. Calcium The chemical symbol for calcium is Ca
Calcium and Magnesium are divalent cations, meaning they have a charge of +2.
Sometimes you will see them write as Ca +2 and Mg +2
Normal plasma calcium is 8 mg/dl to 10 mg/dl
Calcium is important in the body for blood pressure, cardiac function and blood clotting.
Calcium is the main determinate for muscular contractility.
Calcium is important for bone and teeth integrity.
A Prescription you may see for calcium in the community setting is Oscal® 1 tablet TID. Oscal is calcium carbonate 1,250 mg (500 mg of elemental calcium). Oscal D is calcium carbonate with vitamin D 1,250 mg (500 mg elemental calcium) with 200 IU of vitamin D (ergocalciferol)

11. Treatment for Hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia is a life threatening electrolyte abnormality. (usually potassium level of 9 meq/l or higher is fatal)
Calcium is sometimes used to reverse effects of high blood potassium on the heart. An order you may see is
1 gram calcium gluconate IVP X 2
0.3 gram calcium chloride IVP X 2
You may also see the following as well:
Insulin R 10 units IVP
25 ml of D50W IVP
Albuterol 0.083% : 3 ml nebulized every 15 minutes X 3
Kayexelate 60 ml orally X2

12. More less Commonly used abbreviations
AMA= against medical advice
AV= arteriovenous
BE= Barium enema
BUN= Blood urea nitrogen
CC= chief complaint
Cl liq= clear liquids
DAT= diet as tolerated
Dim= one- half or SS
EENT= eye, ear, nose and throat
ERT- estrogen replacement therapy
FE= iron
GTT= glucose tolerance test
HRT= Hormone replacement therapy

13. Hx= history
IM= intramuscular injection
I&O= intake and output
KCL= potassium chloride
mEq= milliequivalent
MOM= milk of magnesia
NPO= nothing by mouth
PRN = as needed
PO= by mouth
Qs= sufficient quantity

14. SSE= soap suds enema
Sum= take
TPN= total parenteral nutrition
Ung= ointment