Sterile solutions of potassium chloride (KCl) containing 5 mEq/mL are available
in 20-mL containers. Calculate the amount, in grams, of potassium chloride in
the container.
Answer:
Potassium chloride (KCl) has a molecular weight of 74.55 g/mol.
Therefore, the amount of potassium chloride in the container is:
20 mL x 5 mEq/mL x 74.55 g/mol = 745.5 g
To calculate the amount of potassium chloride in the container, we need to know the molecular weight of KCl. The molecular weight of potassium (K) is 39.1 g/mol, and the molecular weight of chloride (Cl) is 35.45 g/mol.
The molecular weight of KCl is therefore:
Molecular weight of KCl = (Atomic weight of K) + (Atomic weight of Cl)
= (39.1 g/mol) + (35.45 g/mol)
= 74.55 g/mol
Next, we need to determine the number of moles of KCl in 5 mEq.
1 mole of ions = 1 Eq
1 Eq = 1000 mEq
So, 5 mEq = (5 mEq) / (1000 mEq/Eq) = 0.005 Eq
To calculate the mass of KCl in grams, we can use the formula:
Mass (g) = Number of moles × Molecular weight of KCl
Mass of KCl = (0.005 Eq) × (74.55 g/mol) = 0.37275 g
Therefore, there are approximately 0.37275 grams of potassium chloride in the 20 mL container.