What does mEq stand for in medical terms?

2020-02-22

What does mEq stand for in medical terms?

Milliequivalents per liter
Some medical tests report results in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L). An equivalent is the amount of a substance that will react with a certain number of hydrogen ions. A milliequivalent is one-thousandth of an equivalent. A liter measures fluid volume.

What is mEq equivalent to?

Note: The milliequivalent (mEq) is the unit of measure often used for electrolytes. It indicates the chemical activity, or combining power, of an element relative to the activity of 1 mg of hydrogen. Thus, 1 mEq is represented by 1 mg of hydrogen (1 mole) or 23 mg of Na+, 39 mg of K+, etc.

What does 10 mEq mean in medical terms?

DESCRIPTION. Potassium chloride extended-release capsules, USP, 10 mEq is an oral dosage form of microencapsulated potassium chloride containing 750 mg of potassium chloride USP equivalent to 10 mEq of potassium.

What is IU medical?

A unit used to measure the activity of many vitamins, hormones, enzymes, and drugs. An IU is the amount of a substance that has a certain biological effect. For each substance there is an international agreement on the biological effect that is expected for 1 IU. Also called International Unit.

What does AC mean in medical terms?

a.c.: Abbreviation on a prescription meaning before meals; from the Latin “ante cibum”, before meals. This is one of a number of abbreviations of Latin terms that have traditionally been used in writing prescriptions.

What is a mEq of potassium?

To prevent potassium loss or replace potassium lost by the body: Adults and teenagers—20 milliequivalents (mEq) dissolved in one-half to one glass of cold water, taken one or two times a day. Your doctor may change the dose if needed. However, most people will not take more than 100 mEq a day.

How do you get milliequivalent?

The expression mEq represents the amount of solute in mg equal to 1/1000 th gram of the equivalent weight of the substance. Equivalent weight = 147/2 = 73.5 grams and 73.5 grams/1000 = 0.0735 grams or 73.5 mgs.