Composition of Substance and Solutions

From the Balance to the Bedside: The Science of Concentration

In a clinical setting, "close enough" isn't good enough. Whether you are diluting a concentrated medication or interpreting a patient's blood glucose levels, you are performing chemical stoichiometry. This chapter introduces the most important unit in the laboratory: the mole.

We will move beyond simple weights to understand the actual quantity of "active ingredients" in a substance. You will learn to calculate molar masses, determine the empirical makeup of unknown compounds, and master the math of molarity—the standard language of concentration used in every hospital and pharmacy in the world.

Core Skills in this Chapter:

• The Mole Concept: Learning to "count" atoms by weighing them.
• Molar Mass: Converting grams to moles to ensure accurate dosing.
• Percent Composition: Understanding the breakdown of elements within a drug or supplement.
• Molarity & Dilution: Calculating the strength of IV solutions and medications.