Meq, or milliequivalent, is a unit of measurement commonly used in chemistry and medicine to express the concentration or amount of ions or substances in a solution. The term originates from the Latin words "milli" (meaning one thousandth) and "equivalent," referring to the equivalent weight of a substance.
In simple terms, a milliequivalent represents one thousandth of an equivalent, which is the amount of a substance that combines with or replaces one mole of hydrogen ions (H+) in a chemical reaction.
Meq is primarily used to quantify the concentration of electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride ions, in a solution. It indicates the number of charged particles present in the solution and provides a standardized means of comparing the concentrations of different ions.
The meq measurement is particularly important in medical settings, especially in the field of clinical chemistry and pharmacology. It is used in various diagnostic tests, medication dosing, and assessing the acid-base balance in the body. Meq values are commonly reported in laboratory reports and medical prescriptions to ensure accurate and precise administration of electrolyte solutions and medications.
For example, a physician might prescribe a patient with an intravenous solution containing 40 meq of potassium chloride to correct a potassium deficiency in their body. This means that each milliliter of the solution contains 40 thousandths of an equivalent of potassium ions.
