Question

A patient is given 350 mg of ferrous sulfate (FeSO₄, MW = 152) each dose. How many mEq of ferrous sulfate (two decimal places) does this patient receive after taking 4 doses?

Answer 1

Step 1: Identify the formula use for the identification of mEq

mEq = (mg of the substance x valence) / atomic weight

Step 2: identify the value for each variable

mg of the ferrous sulfate = 350 mg

valence for ferrous = 2

atomic weight/ MW = 152

Step 3: replace the values of the variable in the formula

mEq = (350 x 2) /152

= 700/152

= 4.6

So the meq for each dose is 4.6 mEq.

Step 4: Calculate for the 4 dose

Multiple the mEq for one dose by 4

= 4.6 x4

= 18.4

hence, the patient received 18.4 mEq ferrous sulphate after taking 4 doses of ferrous sulphate.