Equivalent (chemistry) in the context of "Hypernatremia"

An acid anhydride is a type of chemical compound composed of two acyl groups bonded to a common oxygen atom. They are commonly formed by the removal of water molecules from a pair of acids.

In organic chemistry, organic acid anhydrides contain the functional group −C(=O)−O−C(=O)−. Organic acid anhydrides often form when one equivalent of water is removed from two equivalents of an organic acid in a dehydration reaction.

In chemistry, the equivalent concentration or normality (N) of a solution is defined as the molar concentration c_i divided by an equivalence factor or n-factor f_eq:

$${\displaystyle N={\frac {c_{i}}{f_{\rm {eq}}}}}$$

Hyperkalemia is an elevated level of potassium (K) in the blood. Normal potassium levels are between 3.5 and 5.0 mmol/L (3.5 and 5.0 mEq/L) with levels above 5.5 mmol/L defined as hyperkalemia. Typically hyperkalemia does not cause symptoms. Occasionally when severe it can cause palpitations, muscle pain, muscle weakness, or numbness. Hyperkalemia can cause an abnormal heart rhythm which can result in cardiac arrest and death.

Common causes of hyperkalemia include kidney failure, hypoaldosteronism, and rhabdomyolysis. A number of medications can also cause high blood potassium including mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (e.g., spironolactone, eplerenone and finerenone) NSAIDs, potassium-sparing diuretics (e.g., amiloride), angiotensin receptor blockers, and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. The severity is divided into mild (5.5 – 5.9 mmol/L), moderate (6.0 – 6.5 mmol/L), and severe (> 6.5 mmol/L). High levels can be detected on an electrocardiogram (ECG), though the absence of ECG changes does not rule out hyperkalemia. The measurement properties of ECG changes in predicting hyperkalemia are not known. Pseudohyperkalemia, due to breakdown of cells during or after taking the blood sample, should be ruled out.