Q. 13.51 - An Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Question

Kate's blood volume is $3.9 L$. Before treatment, if her blood glucose was $178\mathrm{mg}/\mathrm{dL}$, how many grams of glucose were in her blood?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

The concentration of glucose in the blood is $6.942 grams$.

Step 1: Given data

• Kate's blood volume is $3.9 L$.
• Blood glucose level was $178\mathrm{mg}/\mathrm{dL}$.

Step 2: Unit conversion

We must convert units before calculating blood glucose levels: 

• milligrams to grams 
• $1$ milligram$= 0.001$grams (or) ${10}^{-3}$ grams
• deciliter ($dL$) to litre ($L$).
• $1$ liter ($L$) = $10$ deciliter ($dL$) 
  
  

Step 3: Solution

The concentration of glucose in the blood is:

$(3.9 L) x (178 x {10}^{-3} g/dL) x (10 dL/L) = 6.942 grams$