A provider orders potassium chloride, 20 mEq, orally, once daily.
The nurse knows that the abbreviation mEq stands for which of the following?
Modified equivalents.
Megaequivalents.
Milliequivalents.
Miniequivalents.
The Correct Answer is C
Choice A rationale:
Modified equivalents. This is not the correct answer. The abbreviation "mEq" stands for milliequivalents, not modified equivalents.
Choice B rationale:
Megaequivalents. This is not the correct answer. "Mega" is a prefix indicating a factor of one million. In the context of electrolytes and medications, milliequivalents (mEq) are the appropriate unit of measurement, not megaequivalents.
Choice C rationale:
Milliequivalents. This is the correct answer. Milliequivalents (mEq) are a measure of the chemical combining power of a substance. In medical contexts, mEq is often used to express the amount of electrolytes (such as potassium, sodium, calcium) in a solution or dosage form. It represents 1/1000th of an equivalent, which is the amount of a substance that can react with or replace one mole of hydrogen ions (H+) It is important for healthcare professionals to understand these units when dealing with medications and intravenous fluids, as incorrect administration can lead to serious health complications.
Choice D rationale:
Miniequivalents. This is not the correct answer. "Mini" is not a standard prefix used in the International System of Units (SI) The correct prefix for a thousandth of an equivalent is "milli," making milliequivalents the appropriate unit of measurement for substances like electrolytes.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is C
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
The suffix "-sclerosis" refers to abnormal hardening or thickening, not narrowing. For example, atherosclerosis involves the hardening and narrowing of arteries due to the buildup of plaque.
Choice B rationale:
The suffix "-rrhexis" refers to rupture or breaking. For instance, "angiorrhexis" refers to the rupture of a blood vessel, not narrowing.
Choice C rationale:
The suffix "-stenosis" specifically means narrowing. For example, "stenosis" refers to the abnormal narrowing of a passage in the body, such as a heart valve or a blood vessel. Understanding medical terminology suffixes is crucial for healthcare professionals to interpret various medical conditions accurately.
Choice D rationale:
The suffix "-ptosis" refers to the drooping or falling of a body part. For example, "blepharoptosis" refers to the drooping of the upper eyelid, not narrowing. .
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
Choice A rationale:
A suffix is a word part that is added to the end of a root word to modify its meaning. For example, in the medical term "cardiologist," the suffix '-ologist' means a specialist or expert. A suffix is placed at the end of a root word or a combining form to create a specific medical term.
Choice B rationale:
A word root is the foundational part of a medical term. It contains the core meaning of the term and is not usually modified by prefixes or suffixes. For instance, in the term "cardiology," 'cardi-' is the word root, representing the heart. Word roots provide the essential meaning of the medical term.
Choice C rationale:
A prefix is a word part that is added to the beginning of a root word or a combining form to modify its meaning. Prefixes are important in medical terminology as they indicate locations, numbers, or time. For example, in the term "prehypertension," the prefix 'pre-' means before. Prefixes are added at the beginning of a word.
Choice D rationale:
A combining form is a word root combined with a vowel (usually 'o') that can be joined with other word parts to create a medical term. Combining forms are used as a connector to join a root word and a suffix or another root word. For example, in the term "gastritis," 'gastr-' is the combining form, representing the stomach. Combining forms facilitate the construction of complex medical terms.
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