Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Milliequivalents (mEq)
Milliequivalents (mEq) is a unit of measurement used to express the concentration of ions in a solution. It accounts for the charge of the ion, allowing for a standardized way to compare different ions. For magnesium (Mg²⁺), 1 mEq corresponds to 1 millimole of the ion, considering its valence of +2. Understanding mEq is crucial for converting between different units of concentration.
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Concentration Calculation
Concentration calculation involves determining the amount of a substance in a given volume of solution. In this case, the concentration of Mg²⁺ is given as 3 mEq/L, which means there are 3 milliequivalents of magnesium in one liter of blood. To find the total amount in 250 mL, one must convert the volume from liters to milliliters and apply the concentration to find the total mEq present.
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Conversion from mEq to mg
To convert milliequivalents (mEq) of an ion to milligrams (mg), one must use the molecular weight of the ion. For magnesium, the atomic weight is approximately 24.3 g/mol. The conversion formula is: mg = mEq × (molecular weight / valence). This step is essential for translating the concentration of Mg²⁺ in mEq to its mass in mg, which is necessary for the final answer.
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