Question 1

A hospital patient receives an intravenous (IV) solution containing 40 mEq/L of Na$$^+$$ ions. What must be the concentration of Cl$$^-$$ ions in the solution to maintain electrical neutrality?

Accepted Answer

$$40\ \mathrm{mEq/L}$$

Question 2

How many equivalents are present in 1 mole of Ca$$^{2+}$$ ions?

Accepted Answer

$$2\ \mathrm{Eq}$$

Question 3

A blood sample contains 8.8 mEq/L of Ca$$^{2+}. $$How many moles of Ca$$^{2+}$$ are present in 0.50 L of blood? (Recall: $$1\ \mathrm{Eq} = 1000\ \mathrm{mEq}$$ and $$1\ \mathrm{mol\ Ca$$^{2+}$$} = 2\ \mathrm{Eq})$$

Accepted Answer

$$0.0022\ \mathrm{mol}$$

Question 4

Which of the following best describes why the concentration of positive and negative ions must be equal in an IV solution?

Accepted Answer

To maintain electrical neutrality in the solution

Question 5

If a solution contains 25 mEq/L of K$$^+$$ and 4 mEq/L of Na$$^+$$, what is the minimum concentration of anions required to balance the charge?

Accepted Answer

$$29\ \mathrm{mEq/L}$$

Question 6

Which of the following ions would provide 3 equivalents per mole?

Accepted Answer

Al$$^{3+}$$

Question 7

A nurse prepares an IV solution with 50 mEq/L of K$$^+. If $$the only anion present is Cl$$^-$$, what is the concentration of Cl$$^- in $$mEq/L?

Accepted Answer

$$50\ \mathrm{mEq/L}$$

Question 8

Which of the following statements about equivalents is correct?

Accepted Answer

An equivalent is the amount of an ion that provides 1 mole of electrical charge.

Question 9

A solution contains 2.5 moles of Mg$$^{2+}. $$How many equivalents are present?

Accepted Answer

$$5.0\ \mathrm{Eq}$$

Question 10

Which of the following is a correct conversion for milliequivalents?

Accepted Answer

$$1\ \mathrm{Eq} = 1000\ \mathrm{mEq}$$

Question 11

A patient’s blood test shows a chloride ion concentration of 105 mEq/L. If chloride is the only anion, what is the total positive charge in the blood?

Accepted Answer

$$105\ \mathrm{mEq/L}$$

Question 12

Which of the following best explains why the concentrations of electrolytes in IV fluids are expressed in mEq/L?

Accepted Answer

Because it reflects the total electrical charge provided by the ions

Question 13

If a solution contains 0.01 moles of Al$$^{3+}$$, how many equivalents of Al$$^{3+}$$ are present?

Accepted Answer

$$0.03\ \mathrm{Eq}$$

Question 14

A solution contains 100 mEq/L of Na$$^+$$ and 100 mEq/L of Cl$$^-. $$What would happen if the concentration of Cl$$^-$$ was reduced to 50 mEq/L?

Accepted Answer

The solution would have an excess of positive charge.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a reason why maintaining charge balance in body fluids is important?

Accepted Answer

To increase the solubility of gases in blood

Solutions: Equivalents and Electrolytes in Clinical Chemistry

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