Saline solutions used for intravenous solutions may be referred to using different concentrations.
Terms used:
(1) normal saline (similar to serum, or 0.9%)
(2) milliequivalents per liter (mEq/L) = millimoles per liter (mmol/L)
(3) percent solution, or grams per 100 mL water
Molecular weight for sodium chloride = 58.5 grams (23.0 for sodium; 35.5 for chloride)
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Normal Solutions
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Percent Solution
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NaCl Concentration
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|
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5% (50 g/L)
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854 mEq/L
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|
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3% (30 g/L)
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513 mEq/L
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|
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2% (20 g/L)
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342 mEq/L
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normal
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0.9% (9 g/L)
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154 mEq/L
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half normal
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0.45% (4.5 g/L)
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77 mEq/L
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quarter normal
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0.225% (2.25 g/L)
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38 mEq/L
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|
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0.20% (2.0 g/L)
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34 mEq/L
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grams saline per liter =
= ((mEq per liter) / 1000 * 58.5)
percent solution =
= (grams saline per liter) / 1000 * 100%
