Final answer:
Respiratory therapists commonly use mm Hg or torr for measuring pressure, with 1 atm equating to 760 mm Hg or torr. It is also measured in psi, with sea level atmospheric pressure at 14.7 psi.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Pressure Units Used in Respiratory Therapy
When it comes to respiratory therapy and various other scientific applications, the measurement of pressure is crucial. A commonly preferred unit of measurement for pressure by respiratory therapists is the millimeter of mercury (mm Hg), also known as torr. This unit has a direct relation to atmospheric pressure, where 1 atmosphere (atm) is equal to 760 mm Hg or 760 torr. The pascal (Pa) is the official SI unit, with one kilopascal (kPa) being equal to 1000 pascals. Another widely recognized unit is pounds per square inch (psi), with atmospheric pressure at sea level being 14.7 psi.
- 1 atm = 760 mm Hg = 760 torr = 101.3 kPa = 14.7 psi
Understanding and converting between these different units is essential for accurate pressure measurement in respiratory therapy and related fields.