Millequivalent Question

[nsxiboi]

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Patient is ordered 1750 mL of TPN with NaCL 40 mEq/L and NaHCO3 40 meq/L. How many mg of sodium is he receving in 1.75L of his TPN?
(atomic wt: Cl = 35.5, Na = 23. NaCL = 58.5, NaHCO3 = 84)

a. 2170
b. 2340
c. 3220
d. 4988
e. 9975

I got E. But the answer is C!!??? I'm lost.

The way I solved it was:

1. 40 meq/1000mL X 1750mL = 70 mEq

2. For NaCL
Meq = (mg X valence) / MW
Valence = 1
MW = 58.5
Solved for mg and I got 4095 mg of Na

3. Did the same thing for NaHCO3
Meq = (mg X valence) / MW
Valence = 1
MW = 84
Solved for mg and got 5880 mg of Na

4. 4095 mg Na + 5880 mg Na = 9975 mg

Please help! thanks!!

 

[pharmacychick01]

You are getting the incorrect answer, because in step 2, when you think you are solving for Na, you actually only solved how many mg of NaCl are in 70 mEq of NaCl.

In other words, the 4,095 mg is how much NaCl is in 70 mEq of NaCl. You need to go a step further by then saying:

4095 mg / 58.5 (NaCL MW) = x mg / 23 (Na MW). Solve for x (1610 mg), repeat for your step 3, add together and you will get letter choice "C" answer.

 

[nsxiboi]

Thanks again for your help!👍 You're smart!