Household Measurements
Household measure is a system of measure used in the home, particularly in the kitchen. The units of household measure for volume include teaspoonful, tablespoonful, cup, pint, quart, and gallon. The units of household measure for weight are pounds and ounces.
Measuring volume using the household measure is less accurate than using other systems because the measuring utensils can vary in size. Nevertheless, household volume measure may be used in community pharmacy practice when dispensing drugs that will be administered in the patient’s home because patients may not have other measuring devices at home.
Labels instructing patients on how to take a medication often use household measure units for this reason. It is important to note that the fluid ounce is the same in household and in apothecary volume measure. However, the ounces used to signify weight are different. There are 12 oz in an apothecary pound, while there are 16 oz in a household pound. The household pound is the more commonly used equivalence.
Measuring volume using the household measure is less accurate than using other systems because the measuring utensils can vary in size. Nevertheless, household volume measure may be used in community pharmacy practice when dispensing drugs that will be administered in the patient’s home because patients may not have other measuring devices at home.
Labels instructing patients on how to take a medication often use household measure units for this reason. It is important to note that the fluid ounce is the same in household and in apothecary volume measure. However, the ounces used to signify weight are different. There are 12 oz in an apothecary pound, while there are 16 oz in a household pound. The household pound is the more commonly used equivalence.
Probably the most common measuring device found in the home is the measuring cup. Many families have a 1-ounce measuring cup that is also calibrated to teaspoons and/or tablespoons. Some pharmaceutical companies package 1-ounce measuring cups with their over-the-counter medications.
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