Electrolyte

Millimoles (mmol)

describes number of molecules of a solute

equal to the molecular weight in milligrams

Milliequivalents (mEq)

describes the chemical/electrical activity of a solute

unit of measure that describes the chemical activity of ions in solution

Milliosmoles (mOsm)

describes particle force/osmotic concentration of a solute

Atomic weight

describes the mass, or weight of an atoms; unit = AMU

Formula weight

the sum of the atomic weights, or mass, of chemical formula

Molecular weight (MW)

the sum of the atomic weights of all atoms in a molecule of a substance; measured in grams, can be referred to as formula weight

Solute

Any substance that is dissolved when in a given solution

Dissociation species/particles

the number of particles/species produced when substances, or ions, are dissolved in solution (ex: 1 = substance does not dissociate; 2 = dissociation into two ions, 3 = dissociate into 3 ions)  

Valence

capacity to combine elements within a compound described in terms of the electrons lost, gained, or shared when forming the chemical, also the charge of the ions within an ionic compound

electrolytes

Dissociate into ions

sodium chloride

nonelectrolytes

Remain intact

dextrose

Blood/plasma electrolytes serve

physiologic purposes in our bodies including regulating acid-base balance, controlling total body water, and regulating
cellular function/metabolism

Supplementation

may be needed to maintain normal physiologic concentrations of these electrolytes

Enteral supplementation

by mouth, can be administered in the form of tablets, capsules,
powder for reconstitution, and/or oral solutions

Parenteral supplementation

by the intravenous route, can be administered as intravenous fluid (IVF) solutions, electrolyte bolus doses, or within parenteral nutrition (PN) solutions

mole

of a solute is equal to the molecular weight of that solute

millimole of a substance is equal

to the molecular weight in milligrams

equivalent weight of an ion

equal to the atomic weight of that ion divided by the valence