High School

The pharmacy receives the following PN order. The PN calls for 21 mmol of phosphate and 4.45 mEq of calcium in a total volume of 980 mL. There are 2 mEq of phosphate/mmol. Calculate the total milliequivalents (mEq) of calcium and phosphorus in the PN. (Answer must be numeric; no units or commas; round the final answer to the nearest WHOLE number.)

Item/Quantities:
- Dextrose 270 g
- Amino acids 60 g
- Sodium chloride 38 mEq
- Sodium acetate 16 mEq
- Potassium 40 mEq
- Magnesium sulfate 10 mEq
- Phosphate 21 mmol
- Calcium 4.45 mEq
- MVI-12 5 mL
- Trace elements 1 mL
- Vitamin K-1 0.5 mg
- Famotidine 10 mg
- Regular insulin 40 units

Sterile water qs ad 980 mL

Answer :

Final answer:

The total milliequivalents (mEq) of calcium and phosphorus in the PN is 46.45 mEq.

Explanation:

To calculate the total milliequivalents (mEq) of calcium and phosphorus in the PN, we need to first convert the given amounts of phosphate and calcium into milliequivalents. The PN order specifies that there are 2 milliequivalents (mEq) of phosphate per millimole (mmol). So, the amount of phosphate in milliequivalents is calculated by multiplying the 21 mmol of phosphate by 2:

Phosphate (mEq) = 21 mmol x 2 mEq/mmol = 42 mEq

The order also specifies that there are 4.45 mEq of calcium. Since no conversion is given for calcium, we can assume that the 4.45 mEq value is already in milliequivalents:

Calcium (mEq) = 4.45 mEq

Therefore, the total milliequivalents of calcium and phosphorus in the PN is:

Total = Phosphate (mEq) + Calcium (mEq) = 42 mEq + 4.45 mEq = 46.45 mEq