Convert 207 pounds to kilograms. Use 1 kg = 2.2 lb. Round your answer to the nearest tenth.
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
207 pounds ÷ 2.2 = 94.1 kilograms
Detailed Explanation (Approx. 300 words):
To convert pounds to kilograms, we use a standard conversion factor. According to the problem, 1 kilogram (kg) equals 2.2 pounds (lb). This means that every kilogram weighs as much as 2.2 pounds. To find out how many kilograms 207 pounds equals, we need to divide the number of pounds by the conversion factor.
Here’s the step-by-step process:
- Write the conversion formula: Kilograms=Pounds2.2\text{Kilograms} = \frac{\text{Pounds}}{2.2}
- Substitute the given value: Kilograms=2072.2\text{Kilograms} = \frac{207}{2.2}
- Perform the division: 2072.2≈94.0909\frac{207}{2.2} \approx 94.0909
- Round to the nearest tenth: The digit in the hundredths place is 9, which means we round up the tenths place (0) by 1. So, 94.0909 rounds to 94.1 kilograms.
Why This Is Important in Nursing:
In healthcare and nursing, accurate conversions are essential—especially when it comes to medication dosing, body weight assessments, and fluid calculations. Many medical protocols and equipment use kilograms as the standard unit for weight, even though patients in the U.S. often report their weight in pounds.
For example, certain medications, like chemotherapy or anesthesia, are dosed based on weight in kilograms, not pounds. Using the wrong unit can lead to serious dosing errors. Therefore, mastering these basic conversions is critical for patient safety and clinical accuracy.
Also, rounding to the nearest tenth is common in clinical settings to ensure clarity without losing important decimal precision. It simplifies communication while maintaining medical accuracy.
In summary, 207 pounds is equal to 94.1 kilograms when using the conversion factor 1 kg = 2.2 lb, and this skill is crucial for safe and effective nursing care.