1. What is Potassium mEq?

Potassium is often measured in milligrams (mg) or milliequivalents (mEq). The mEq unit accounts for the chemical activity of potassium ions, which is important for medical dosing and physiological calculations.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the conversion formula:

Where:

• \( mg \) — Potassium in milligrams
• \( 39.1 \) — Atomic weight of potassium

Explanation: Since potassium has a valence of 1, 1 mEq is equal to 1 mmol, which is the atomic weight in mg (39.1 mg for potassium).

3. Importance of Potassium Conversion

Details: Medical dosing and electrolyte replacement often use mEq units, while lab results may report in mg/dL. Accurate conversion is essential for proper treatment.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter potassium value in mg. The calculator will automatically convert it to mEq. All values must be valid (mg > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why convert potassium from mg to mEq?
A: mEq accounts for the chemical activity of ions, which is more relevant for physiological effects and medical dosing than weight alone.

Q2: What is the normal potassium range in mEq/L?
A: The normal serum potassium range is typically 3.5-5.0 mEq/L (may vary slightly by lab).

Q3: Is this conversion valid for all potassium compounds?
A: This conversion is for elemental potassium. For potassium compounds, you must account for the molecular weight of the entire compound.

Q4: How precise is this conversion?
A: The conversion is mathematically precise, using potassium's exact atomic weight of 39.0983 (rounded to 39.1 for clinical use).

Q5: When is this conversion most important?
A: Particularly important when preparing IV potassium solutions or when comparing lab values to medication dosing guidelines.