Dr. Juan ordered an additional 500 mg sodium in the diet of Maria Cruz. How much salt will be added to her food?

Dr. Juan ordered an additional 500 mg sodium in the diet of Maria Cruz. How much salt will be added to her food?

• A. 500 mg
• B. 2,000 mg
• C. 1,250 mg
• D. 750 mg

Answer: (C)

Converting sodium to salt equivalent is what this question tests. Salt (sodium chloride) is about 39% sodium by weight, so to turn a given amount of sodium into the corresponding amount of salt, you multiply by roughly 2.5. So, 500 mg of sodium added translates to 500 mg × 2.5 ≈ 1,250 mg of salt (about 1.25 g).

Converting sodium to salt equivalent is what this question tests. Salt (sodium chloride) is about 39% sodium by weight, so to turn a given amount of sodium into the corresponding amount of salt, you multiply by roughly 2.5.

So, 500 mg of sodium added translates to 500 mg × 2.5 ≈ 1,250 mg of salt (about 1.25 g).