What it means
One-thousandth of an equivalent, used to measure electrolytes such as sodiumSOH-dee-umA mineral in the blood that controls how water moves in the body and helps nerves and muscles work.Full entry , potassiumpuh-TAS-ee-umA mineral in the blood that nerves and muscles, including the heart, need in order to work.Full entry and chloride in the blood or in a drug dose. Blood levels are given in milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L), for example potassium 3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L. Potassium chloride doses are also ordered in mEq, such as 20 mEq. For ions with a single charge, 1 mEq/L equals 1 mmol/L.
For the nurse
Do not mix up mEq and mg: they are different units. Read the label for the strength in mEq per mL before drawing up an electrolyte dose.
In a chart
"Potassium chloride 20 mEq PO given for K 3.3 mEq/L."
At a glance
| Also written | milliequivalent, mEq/L, milliequivalents |
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Related terms
potassium
A mineral in the blood that nerves and muscles, including the heart, need in order to work.
electrolyte
A mineral that carries an electric charge when dissolved in body fluids, such as sodium, potassium, calcium and chloride.
sodium
A mineral in the blood that controls how water moves in the body and helps nerves and muscles work.