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Difficulty: MediumPharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

A nurse is caring for an adult client with a serum potassium level of 2.5 mEq/L2.5 \text{ mEq/L} who is prescribed 40 mEq40 \text{ mEq} of intravenous (IV) potassium chloride (KCl) to be administered via a peripheral IV line. Which action must the nurse take to ensure safe administration?

  1. Verify that the medication is administered via an electronic infusion pump at a maximum rate of 10 mEq/hr10 \text{ mEq/hr}.Answer
  2. B
    Set the infusion pump to deliver the 40 mEq40 \text{ mEq} dose over 30 minutes30 \text{ minutes} to rapidly correct the hypokalemia.
  3. C
    Piggyback the potassium chloride secondary infusion into the client's ongoing transfusion of packed red blood cells.
  4. D
    Delegate the initial assessment of the IV insertion site and client education to unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP).

Answer

The nurse must verify that the medication is administered via an electronic infusion pump at a maximum rate of 10 mEq/hr10 \text{ mEq/hr}.
Intravenous potassium chloride is a high-alert medication that must always be diluted and administered slowly. To prevent cardiac arrhythmias and severe venous irritation, the maximum recommended rate for peripheral IV administration is 10 mEq/hr10 \text{ mEq/hr}. Furthermore, it must always be administered using an electronic infusion pump to ensure precise and safe delivery.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the medication and the client's condition.
The client has severe hypokalemia (2.5 mEq/L2.5 \text{ mEq/L}) and requires IV potassium chloride (KCl).
Understanding the high-alert nature of IV potassium is the first step in ensuring patient safety.
2
Recall the critical safety guidelines for IV KCl administration.
IV KCl must never be given by IV push, must be adequately diluted, and must be infused at a maximum rate of 10 mEq/hr10 \text{ mEq/hr} via a peripheral line using an electronic pump.
Rapid infusion can lead to lethal cardiac arrhythmias.
3
Evaluate the provided options against safety standards and scope of practice.
Administering via an infusion pump at a maximum of 10 mEq/hr10 \text{ mEq/hr} is the only safe, evidence-based action.
Other options involve unsafe calculation/infusion rates, medication incompatibilities with blood products, or improper delegation of nursing duties.

Key Concept

Safe administration of intravenous potassium chloride (KCl)
Estimated Time:1m 30s
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Topics

Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

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