GENERAL RULES FOR ROUNDING OFF
General Rounding Rule
: When rounding off numbers 5 and above, round up.
Numbers below 5, round down
: Round appropriately when performing calculations that require
multiple steps. Do not leave unrounded numbers in your calculator when you go to the
I. Capsules and tablets
Whole capsules or tablets (which are not scored) should be rounded to the nearest
whole number. The difference should not exceed 10% of total amount ordered.
Ex.: 1.8 capsules = 2 capsules
1.5 scored tablets = 1 ½ tablets
II. Liquid medications by mouth
If unable to accurately measure dose on available medication cup, use a syringe
to obtain accurate measurement of dose.
A. Volumes greater than 1 ml. or cc: Volumes using ml or cc’s greater than 1
should be divided to the hundredths place and rounded to the nearest tenth.
Ex.: 1.25 ml = 1.3 ml
1.24 ml = 1.2 ml
B. Volumes less than 1 ml or cc: Volumes using ml or cc’s less than 1 ml should
be divided to the thousandths place, and rounded to the nearest hundredth.
A TB syringe is appropriate for this measurement.
Ex.: .969 = .97 ml
.963 = .96 ml
IV. Converting pounds to kilograms
When converting pounds to kilograms, the weight should be carried to the
hundredths place and rounded to the tenths place.
Ex. 170 lbs = 77.27 kg = 77.3 kg
160 lbs = 72.72 kg = 72.7 kg
Calculate to the tenths place and round off to the nearest whole number.
Ex. 15.4 = 15 drops
15.5 = 16 drops
VI. Setting an IV pump (Exception: do not round off for heparin infusions)
Round fractions of ml to the whole ml using the general rounding rule.
Ex. 123.3 ml/hour = 123 ml
123.7 ml/hour = 124 ml