One teaspoon is equal to how many drops?

Appeared in: DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Explanation

The question asks for a standard conversion between teaspoons and drops, a fundamental concept in medication administration.
In the apothecary and household systems of measurement, 1 teaspoon (tsp) is equivalent to 1 fluid dram.
A fluid dram is defined as 60 minims, and a minim is considered equivalent to one drop (gtt).
Therefore, the standard conversion is 1 teaspoon ≈ 60 drops.

Option B: This value is likely calculated using a macrodrip IV set's drop factor (15 gtt/mL x 5 mL = 75 gtt). IV drop factors are not used for oral or household measurements.
Option C: According to standard household measurement equivalents, 15 drops (gtt) is approximately equal to 1 mL, which is only one-fifth of a teaspoon.
Option D: This is an inaccurate conversion. 30 drops would be approximately 2-3 mL, not the 5 mL that constitutes a teaspoon.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Medication Dosage Calculation: Volume Conversion as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Patient safety in medication administration is paramount. Using standardized conversions prevents dosing errors. Relying on household spoons can lead to under- or over-dosing.
Nurses must educate patients and caregivers to use only calibrated measuring devices (like oral syringes or droppers provided with the medication) for liquid medicines, especially for pediatric and geriatric populations where dosage accuracy is critical.
What if the medication was for an IV infusion? If the order was to infuse a drug in a 5 mL volume, the nurse would not use the '60 drops' conversion. Instead, they would use the specific drop factor (e.g., 10, 15, 20, or 60 gtt/mL) of the IV administration set to calculate the correct flow rate in drops per minute.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the question as a request for a standard unit conversion used in medication administration.
Recall the common household and apothecary measurement equivalents taught in nursing pharmacology.
Recognize that 'teaspoon' is a measure of volume, and 'drops' can vary. However, there is a standard convention for this conversion.
Remember the key equivalence: 1 teaspoon (tsp) is approximately 5 mL.
Recall the apothecary equivalence: 1 teaspoon ≈ 1 fluid dram = 60 minims (drops).
Evaluate the options based on this standard conversion and eliminate those that are clearly incorrect or based on a different measurement system (like IV drop factors).

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nursing Fundamentals Potter Perry 12e Part 3 p. 140-142

Practise the full DSSSB -28 August 2019 (Shift-2)

Attempt every question from this paper in a timed mock, then review the full solution for each one.