Nursing Pearl: A quick way to estimate Kilograms is to take the patients weight in pounds, divide by 2 and subtract 9. Try it - it works great for patient over 100 pounds providing a close estimate.
The kilogram is the primary unit of mass in the International System (SI) of units. Medication dosing is typical prescribed in mg per kilogram - knowing the patients weight in kilograms is imperative. The international (or, imperial) pound is equal to 453.592 grams. Thus one kilogram equals pounds divided by 2.2046.
One kilogram is the approximate weight of a one litre bottle of liquid, such as a soft drink.