Almost every responsibility of a nurse involves life or death. When errors are made, the results can be harmful or even fatal. The most dangerous errors are related to medication. While some of the most common medication errors can be giving the wrong medication, a miscalculation of dosage can be equally disastrous. To help prevent this we use the metric system, and we master the method of converting between units.
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Why is the Metric Conversion so Important? - Dr. Jaffe, Elisabeth
The metric system is the most commonly used system of measurement and for good reason! It avoids clerical errors, and it allows for much easier conversions because it is based on the power of ten. In addition, we don't want two different systems to be used in one hospital or even in different hospitals. When patients go from one doctor to another, even across countries, they want to know their medication dosages are consistent and they are not dependent on doctors and nurses to make accurate conversions between systems. The metric system is used worldwide, eliminating this problem.
When errors are made, patients may overdose or they may not take enough medication. They could experience a range of symptoms, some serious and some less so. Patients have experienced paralysis, lethargy or have fallen into a coma. Other patients experience sudden changes in their vital signs (respiration, pulse, and blood pressure). Symptoms can also include abdominal pain, nausea, or vomiting. Some of the most serious consequences include organ damage. In rare cases, patients die. It is imperative the dosages are accurate!
Three different Ways of Solving the Metric Conversion Problems
1. Dimensional Analysis 2. Ratios and Proportions 3. Moving Decimal Point for Power of Ten.
