A liter of an electrolyte solution contains the following: 131 mEq Na+, 111 mEq Cl-, 5 mEq K+, 29 mEq C3H5O3- (lactate), and 4 mEq Ca2+. How do you convert each of these values to mmol/L?

Answer 1

if the valency (charge) on the ion is +1 or -1, then mEq is the same as mmoles. If the charge is +2, as for Ca²⁺, then 1 mEq is 0.5 mmoles. If the charge were 3, then 1 mEq would be 0.33 mmoles. So for the present question, we have...

131 mEq Na⁺ / L = 131 mmol / L

111 mEq Cl^- / L = 111 mmol / L

5 mEq K⁺ / L = 5 mmol / L

29 mEq C₃H₅O₃^- / L = 29 mmol / L

4 mEq Ca²⁺ / L = 2 mmol / L