In the description of chloride balance notation, what is listed as the 'Counter' ion?

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Multiple Choice

In the description of chloride balance notation, what is listed as the 'Counter' ion?

Explanation:
Chloride balance relies on electroneutrality, meaning every negative charge is matched by a positive one. In extracellular fluid, the main positive ion that pairs with chloride is sodium, forming the dominant salt NaCl. So, the standard “Counter” ion for chloride balance is sodium. While potassium is also a cation that can pair with chloride in some salts, it is not the primary counterion in this context. Bicarbonate is an anion, not a cation, so it isn’t the counter ion to chloride.

Chloride balance relies on electroneutrality, meaning every negative charge is matched by a positive one. In extracellular fluid, the main positive ion that pairs with chloride is sodium, forming the dominant salt NaCl. So, the standard “Counter” ion for chloride balance is sodium. While potassium is also a cation that can pair with chloride in some salts, it is not the primary counterion in this context. Bicarbonate is an anion, not a cation, so it isn’t the counter ion to chloride.

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