mEq stands for which term?

mEq stands for which term?

• A. Milliequivalent
• B. Amount
• C. Gram
• D. Drop

Answer: (A)

mEq stands for milliequivalents. This unit expresses amount by considering the electrical charge of the ions involved, not just mass. The key idea is that the effect of an ion depends on its charge, so milliequivalents convert amounts to a common charge-based scale. A helpful rule: mEq = mmol × valence (the ion’s charge). For a singly charged ion like sodium, 1 mmol equals 1 mEq; for a divalent ion like calcium (charge +2), 1 mmol equals 2 mEq. This is why mEq is used in electrolyte dosing and fluid balance—it reflects the ion’s chemical capacity to react or balance charge, which mass alone cannot. The other terms don’t represent what mEq means.

mEq stands for milliequivalents. This unit expresses amount by considering the electrical charge of the ions involved, not just mass. The key idea is that the effect of an ion depends on its charge, so milliequivalents convert amounts to a common charge-based scale. A helpful rule: mEq = mmol × valence (the ion’s charge). For a singly charged ion like sodium, 1 mmol equals 1 mEq; for a divalent ion like calcium (charge +2), 1 mmol equals 2 mEq. This is why mEq is used in electrolyte dosing and fluid balance—it reflects the ion’s chemical capacity to react or balance charge, which mass alone cannot. The other terms don’t represent what mEq means.