Determine the weight of your patient in kilograms who weighs 105 lbs.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
To convert 105 pounds to kilograms, use the conversion factor:
1 pound = 0.453592 kilograms
So:
105 lbs × 0.453592 = 47.62716 kg
Rounded to two decimal places, the patient’s weight is: 47.63 kilograms
Explanation (300 words):
When dealing with medical calculations or international communication, it’s essential to use the metric system, which is the standard in healthcare worldwide. One of the most common tasks in clinical settings is converting a patient’s weight from pounds (lbs) to kilograms (kg), especially for dosing medications, calculating Body Mass Index (BMI), or setting machine parameters such as IV pumps or ventilators.
The conversion factor used is based on the definition:
- 1 pound = 0.453592 kilograms
This means that every pound of body weight is equivalent to approximately 0.454 kilograms. To convert from pounds to kilograms, multiply the number of pounds by 0.453592.
For a patient weighing 105 lbs, the conversion is:
- 105 × 0.453592 = 47.62716 kg
Depending on the level of precision required, especially in clinical settings, it is typical to round to two decimal places. Thus, the patient’s weight becomes:
- 47.63 kg
Accurate weight measurement and conversion are critical in healthcare. For example:
- Many medications are dosed per kilogram of body weight, such as antibiotics, chemotherapy, or anesthesia.
- Using incorrect units can lead to underdosing or overdosing, which could compromise patient safety.
- Even for nutritional planning, fluid management, or calculating renal function (e.g., creatinine clearance), correct body weight in kilograms is needed.
In summary, converting weight from pounds to kilograms is a straightforward yet essential process in healthcare. Always use the correct conversion factor and ensure rounding rules align with the clinical context.