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What’s in this module?
In this module you’ll learn the methodology of dimensional analysis. This calculation method will allow you to perform even the most complex calculations without an error. We’ll start with some very basic calculations, so you can see how easy the methodology is.
Even if you already know how to do clinical calculations using another method, you should take the time to learn to use dimensional analysis. All the sample solutions in this text will use dimensional analysis. And, most important, the most difficult problems will be much easier if you use dimensional analysis.
Once you learn how to set up a dimensional analysis equation, there is no need to memorize equations. No math beyond the basic level is required.
Summary of problem types in this module
We’ll use basic problems to illustrate the dimensional analysis methodology. The key is to set up the equation so the labels for each quantity can cancel out.
Equivalents to know
In this module we’ll use some equivalents that should already be familiar to you. These equivalents are included in the household system of measurement in the United States.
Please note that ounce (oz) can be used as both a weight measurement and a volume measurement.
Equivalents can be used with either term in the numerator or denominator since the terms are equal.
Weight:
16 oz = 1 lb
Volume:
3 tsp = 1 Tbsp
2 Tbsp = 1 oz
8 oz = 1 cup
16 oz = 1 pt
2 pt = 1 qt
1 qt = 32 oz
Rounding rules to know
Only these general rounding rules for decimals will apply to this module.
Starting factors and answer units
The starting factor (SF) is the amount you start with - the quantity and the units you know. It is the quantity and unit of measurement to be converted.
The answer unit (AU) is the equivalent quantity expressed in the units that you have available. The AU is the unit of measurement you have in an amount equivalent to the SF (the amount you know).
How is dimensional analysis done?
Step 1 – Identify the SF and AU for your problem. The SF will be the first term in your equation. The AU will be the unit of measurement label for your answer.
Step 2 – Identify the equivalents needed to work from the SF to the AU.
Step 3 – Set up your equation so that measurement labels to be canceled out are in subsequent numerator and denominator positions to allow their cancelation.
Step 4 – Work the equation by first cancelling out unwanted measurement labels. Next reduce terms of the equation as much as possible. Multiply remaining terms in the numerator and denominator to form your answer ratio. Reduce the answer ratio to lowest terms.
Step 5 – If necessary, convert to decimals or whole numbers and apply the appropriate rounding rules.
Step 6 – Always double-check your answer. Make certain that your answer makes sense as the solution to the problem. This will be an extra step in preventing medication errors.
Example Problem 1
You want to give your client 8 oz of juice, but you have available 1 pt. How much of the pint do you want to use?
The SF is the 8 oz of juice you want. The AU is pt. You will solve the problem to find out how much of the pint to use.
Here’s the problem set up in the dimensional analysis format:
SF = 8 oz
AU = pt
Equivalent:
16 oz = 1 pt
Equation:
Note that the ounce (oz) labels cancel each other. That leaves the answer unit you want (pt) and a fraction to reduce.
To be eliminated from the equation, or canceled out, a unit of measurement must be in both the numerator and the denominator.
Stated using decimals, the answer would be 0.5 pt. The rounding rule for numbers less than one applies to this answer.
In this example a client is required to drink a fluid over a 12-hour period in preparation for a gastrointestinal exam. The fluid fills a gallon container (4 qt). How many ounces must the client drink?
Here’s the problem set up in the dimensional analysis format:
SF = 4 qt
AU = oz
Equivalent:
1 qt = 32 oz
Equation:
Note that the qt measurement labels cancel each other. Your answer is a whole number.
Example Problem 3
In this example a nurse is working on a labor and delivery unit. A new baby weighs 115 ounces. The parents want to know the baby’s weight in pounds. How many pounds does the baby weigh? State your answer in pounds. Use the rounding rule for numbers greater than one.
Here’s the problem set up in the dimensional analysis format:
SF = 115 oz
AU = lb
Equivalent:
16 oz = 1 lb
Equation:
What if the parents want the weight in pounds and ounces?
Convert the extra 0.2 pounds to ounces:
SF = 0.2 lb
AU = oz
Equivalent:
16 oz = 1 lb
Equation:
Your final answer is 7 lb 3.2 oz
Example Problem 4
A pediatric nurse needs to give a child 2 teaspoons of a liquid medication. The medication container holds 1 ounce of medication. How much of the container should the nurse give to the child?
Here’s the problem set up in the dimensional analysis format:
SF = 2 tsp
AU = oz
Equivalents:
3 tsp = 1 Tbsp
2 Tbsp = 1 oz
Note that two equivalents are used for this problem.
Equation for the dose in oz:
The nurse will use 1/3 of the container containing 1 oz.
Note that all quantity measurement labels are set up in the numerator and the denominator in order to cancel out the unwanted units of measurement. This is the key to dimensional analysis no matter how many equivalents you need to use in your equation.
Ready to try the basics of dimensional analysis? The practice problems will start with identifying SF and AU, then graduate to setting up equations.
Solutions to all problems appear at the end of this module. Before you leave this module, make certain that you can successfully complete all the steps listed above.
The purpose of this module is to make you familiar with the dimensional analysis methodology. Most of the practice problems are easy mathematically, but your purpose is to be able to use the methodology correctly.
1. A client is 5.4 feet tall. How many inches tall is the client? (12 in = 1 ft)
2. An injectable mediation is to be given over 90 seconds. How many minutes is 90 seconds? (60 sec = 1 min)
3. One tablespoon of cough medicine is to be given to a client. How many teaspoons should be given?
4. A severe wound measures 0.45 feet. How many inches long is the wound?
5. A container of gelatin on a client's food tray measures 0.5 pints. How many ounces area contained in the container?
6. How many ounces are in 3 qts?
7. How many pints are in 5 qts?
8. A client is exercising daily by walking two miles. How many feet does the client walk daily? (1 mile = 5280 ft)
9. A nurse opens a roll of cloth tape containing 12 yards. How many feet are in the roll of tape? (1 yard = 3 ft)
10. A client needs to lie flat for 1.5 hours after a medical procedure is performed. For how many minutes must the client lie flat? (60 min = 1 hr)
11. A child weighs 820 ounces. How many pounds does the child weigh?
12. The dosage strength of a medication is listed as 100 units in one ounce. How many ounces would the nurse give to the client to administer 75 units?
13. A client is being fed liquid nourishment by a tube through the throat to the stomach. The rate of feeding is 30 ouncs per hour. How many ml of liquid will the client be fed in one hour?
14. A nurse is to give one tablespoon of medication to a client. How many ounces will the nurse give?
15. A nurse has a package of elastic bandage that measures 3 feet. How many inches of elastic bandage are contained in the package?
16. A package of gauze for a dressing weighs 6 ounces. How many packages of gauze will be contained in a box containing 5 pounds of gauze? (Round to a whole number)
17. A fluid is to be transferred from a one-quart bottle to smaller containers each containing one cup. How many of the one cup containers will be used?
18. A dose of medication can be given every 15 min. How many doses of the medication can be given in four hours?
19. In the first four to six months when a baby isn't eating any solids, here's a simple rule: Offer 2.5 ounces of infant formula per pound of body weight each day. A newborn baby weighs 6.5 lbs. How many ounces of formula should be offered every day?
20. The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. A client has a burn that measures 24 square inches. What percentage of the client's body is burned? (1 square foot = 144 square inches) Find your answer to four decimal places, convert to a percentage, then use the rounding rule for numbers > 1 or numbers < 1 as appropriate.
1. A client is 5.4 feet tall. How many inches tall is the client? (12 in = 1 ft)
First identify the SF and AU for the problem. Make certain that you understand this step before you go further.
SF = 5.4 ft
AU = in
Identify the equivalents you need to solve the problem.
Equivalent:
1 ft = 12 in
Next, set up your equation making certain that you can cancel out unwanted measurement labels.
Equation:
When you solve your equation, make certain that you apply the appropriate rounding rules. In this case, use the rule for numbers >1.
Also make certain that your answer seems reasonable for the problem.
2. An injectable medication is to be given over 90 seconds. How many minutes is 90 seconds? (60 sec = 1 min)
SF = 90 sec
AU = min
Equivalent:
1 min = 60 sec
Equation:
3. One tablespoon of cough medicine is to be given to a client. How many teaspoons should be given?
SF = 1 Tbsp
AU = tsp
Equivalent:
3 tsp = 1 Tbsp
Equation:
4. A severe wound measures 0.45 feet. How many inches long is the wound?
SF = 0.45 ft
AU = in
Equivalent:
12 in = 1 ft
Equation:
5. A container of gelatin on a client’s food tray measures 0.5 pints. How many ounces are contained in the container?
SF = 0.5 pt
AU = oz
Equivalent:
16 oz = 1 pt
Equation:
6. How many ounces are in 3 qts?
SF = 3 qt
AU = oz
Equivalent:
1 qt = 32 oz
Equation:
7. How many pints are in 5 qts?
SF = 5 qt
AU = pt
Equivalent:
2 pt = 1 qt
Equation:
8. A client is exercising daily by walking two miles. How many feet does the client walk daily? (1 mile = 5280 ft)
SF = 2 mi
AU = ft
Equivalent:
1 mi = 5280 ft
Equation:
9. A nurse opens a roll of cloth tape containing 12 yards. How many feet are in the roll of tape? (1 yard = 3 ft)
SF = 12 yd
AU = ft
Equivalent:
1 yd = 3 ft
Equation:
10. A client needs to lie flat for 1.5 hours after a medical procedure is performed. For how many minutes must the client lie flat? (60 min = 1 hr)
SF = 1.5 hr
AU = min
Equivalent:
1 hr = 60 min
Equation:
11. A child weighs 820 ounces. How many pounds does the child weigh?
SF = 820 oz
AU = lb
Equivalent:
1 lb = 16 oz
Equation:
Use the rounding rule for numbers >1.
12. The dosage strength of a medication is listed as 100 units in one ounce. How many ounces would the nurse give to the client to administer 75 units?
SF = 75 units
AU = oz
Equivalent:
100 units = 1 oz
Equation:
Use the rounding rule for numbers <1. Make certain that you use the leading zero.
13. A client is being fed liquid nourishment by a tube through the throat to the stomach. The rate of feeding is 30 ounces per hour. How many ml of liquid will the client be fed in one hour?
SF = 30 oz
AU = ml
Equivalent:
1 oz = 30 ml
Equation:
14. A nurse is to give one tablespoon of medication to a client. How many ounces will the nurse give?
SF = 1 Tbsp
AU = oz
Equivalent:
2 Tbsp = 1 oz
Equation:
15. A nurse has a package of elastic bandage that measures 3 feet. How many inches of elastic bandage are contained in the package?
SF = 3 ft
AU = in
Equivalent:
1 ft = 12 in
Equation:
16. A package of gauze for a dressing weighs 6 ounces. How many packages of gauze will be contained in a box containing 5 pounds of gauze? (Round to a whole number)
SF = 5 lb
AU = packages
Equivalents:
1 lb = 16 oz
6 oz = 1 package
Equation:
Following the instructions in the problem, the answer is a whole number.
17. A fluid is to be transferred from a one-quart bottle to smaller containers each containing one cup. How many of the one cup containers will be used?
SF = 1 qt
AU = container (cont)
Equivalents:
1 qt = 32 oz
8 oz = 1 cup
1 container = 1 cup
Equation:
18. A dose of medication can be given every 15 min. How many doses of the medication can be given in four hours?
SF = 4 hrs
AU = dose
Equivalents:
1 hr = 60 minutes (min)
1 dose = 15 minutes
Equation:
19. In the first four to six months when a baby isn't eating any solids, here's a simple rule: Offer 2.5 ounces of infant formula per pound of body weight each day. A newborn baby weighs 6.5 lb. How many ounces of formula should be offered every day?
SF = 6.5 lb
AU = oz
Equivalent:
2.5 oz = 1 lb
Equation:
Use the rounding rule for numbers >1.
20. The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area of about 20 square feet. A client has a burn that measures 24 square inches. What percentage of the client’s body is burned? (1 square foot = 144 square inches) Find your answer to four decimal places, convert to a percentage, then use the rounding rule for numbers >1 or numbers <1 as appropriate.
SF = 24 sq in
AU = body area %
Equivalent:
1 body area = 20 sq ft
1 sq ft = 144 sq in
Equation:
To state a decimal number as a %, move the decimal place two numbers to the right.
In this case, use the rounding rule for numbers <1. Don’t forget your leading zero.