meq
Noun: - Milliequivalent: A unit of measurement equal to one-thousandth (1/1000) of an equivalent, used primarily in chemistry and medicine to express the amount of a substance that can combine with or replace one mole of hydrogen ions or react with a corresponding amount of another substance. It is a measure of chemical combining power.
The term "meq" is a standard abbreviation used in scientific writing, particularly in clinical reports, chemical analyses, and pharmaceutical formulations. It is used with a numerical value and often followed by the substance being measured. - It is used to quantify electrolytes (like sodium, potassium, chloride) in biological fluids such as blood or urine. - It is used in chemistry to express the reactive capacity of ions in a solution.
- The patient's serum potassium level was reported as 4.2 meq/L.
- This antacid tablet contains 15 meq of calcium carbonate.
- The solution requires 20 meq of sodium ions to reach neutrality.
- "meq/kg": Milliequivalents per kilogram, a common unit for dosing electrolytes or other substances based on body weight.
- The recommended dose is 1-2 meq/kg of body weight.
- "mEq": An alternative capitalization, where the "E" is often capitalized to emphasize "Equivalent." Both "meq" and "mEq" are accepted forms.
- Equivalent (Eq): The base unit from which "meq" is derived. One equivalent is the amount of a substance that reacts with or supplies one mole of hydrogen ions (H⁺) or hydroxide ions (OH⁻).
- Millimole (mmol): A related but distinct unit of amount of substance. The relationship between meq and mmol depends on the valence of the ion (meq = mmol × valence).
- Milliequivalent: This is the full, unabbreviated form of "meq." There are no true conceptual synonyms, as it is a specific unit of measurement.
- "Meq" is not a phrasal verb or idiom. It is a technical abbreviation.
- The term is almost exclusively used in scientific and medical contexts. It is not used in everyday conversation.
- one-thousandth of an equivalent