16. A nurse has just transferred to a new hospital and is still getting used to working in pounds instead of kilograms. Given that 1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lb), what does a 176 lb patient weigh in kg?
Answer: C
The patient weighs 80 kg.
To convert the weight of a 176 lb patient into kilograms, the calculation involves dividing the weight in pounds by the conversion factor, which is 2.2. Thus, 176 lb ÷ 2.2 = 80 kg.
A) 178.2 kg
This option is incorrect because it significantly overestimates the patient's weight. A conversion of 176 lb to kg does not yield a result close to this value, indicating a misunderstanding of the conversion process.
B) 387.2 kg
This option is also incorrect, as it far exceeds the weight of the patient. A weight of 387.2 kg would correspond to a much higher weight in pounds, illustrating a complete miscalculation in the conversion.
C) 80 kg
This is the correct answer. By performing the conversion from pounds to kilograms using the formula 176 lb ÷ 2.2, we accurately arrive at 80 kg, which reflects the patient's actual weight in the metric system.
D) 38.72 kg
This option is incorrect as it underestimates the patient's weight. Converting 176 lb to kg should yield a result significantly higher than 38.72 kg, indicating that the calculation has not been performed correctly.
Conclusion
The correct conversion of 176 lb results in a weight of 80 kg, making option C definitively correct. All other options fail either by substantially miscalculating the weight or by applying an incorrect conversion method, highlighting the importance of accurate unit conversions in healthcare settings.