Certified Medical Assistant (CMA AAMA)Clinical Workflow and Patient IntakeHard
A patient weighs 154 pounds. The physician orders a medication dosed at 2 mg/kg. The medical assistant needs to convert the patient's weight to kilograms to assist with documentation. Using the standard conversion factor, what is the patient's weight in kilograms?
- A63 kg
- B77 kg
- C70 kg
- D140 kg
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: C. 70 kg
To convert pounds to kilograms, divide the weight in pounds by 2.2: 154 ÷ 2.2 = 70 kg.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. 63 kg would result from an incorrect division factor.
- B. 77 kg would result from multiplying instead of dividing incorrectly.
- D. 140 kg is roughly double the correct value, a calculation error.
Pounds to Kilograms Conversion
To convert a patient's weight from pounds to kilograms, divide the weight in pounds by 2.2 (since 1 kg ≈ 2.2 lb).
- 1 kg = 2.2 lb
- Formula: kg = lb ÷ 2.2
- Accurate weight conversion is essential for weight-based dosing
Memory trick: Divide by 2.2 to shrink pounds down to kilograms.