ATI TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Version 7MathematicsMedium
A medical assistant is preparing a 1:10 dilution of a disinfectant. If they start with 50 mL of the concentrated disinfectant, what is the total final volume of the diluted solution?
- A50 mL
- B5000 mL
- C5 mL
- D500 mL
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: D. 500 mL
A 1:10 dilution means 1 part concentrate to a total of 10 parts solution. If 1 part is 50 mL, then the total solution is 10 parts * 50 mL/part = 500 mL.
Why the other options are wrong
- A. This is just the volume of the concentrate, not the final diluted volume.
- B. This would be a 1:100 dilution if 50 mL was the 1 part.
- C. This would be 1/10th of the concentrate, not the total volume.
Dilution Ratio
A way to express the concentration of a solution, often as a ratio of solute to total volume or solute to solvent.
- Expressed as '1:X' meaning 1 part solute to X total parts solution.
- Can also be '1:X' meaning 1 part solute to X parts solvent, requiring careful interpretation.
- Crucial in laboratories and healthcare for preparing solutions of specific concentrations.
Memory trick: Dilution ratios: Part to total, or part to solvent. Be clear!