a medication is available in 1-mcg tablets.

Question

A medication is available im 1-mcg tablets. The physician orders 0.01 mg. Can this tablet be used? explain your answer

Answer 1

Remember metric unit conversion as follows:

 

 

1 gram (g) = 1000 milligrams (mg)

                = 1,000,0000 micrograms (mcg)

 

so:  1,000 mg = 1,000,000 mcg

              1 mg = 1,000 mcg

 

divide by 100 on each side to get the physicians order expressed in mcg

 

          0.01 mg = 10 mcg 

 

 

So YES - you could use your 1 mcg pill, but you'd have to take 10 of them.