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Difficulty: MediumPharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

A client admitted with severe dehydration and hypokalemia has a prescription for an intravenous (IV) infusion of 40 mEq of potassium chloride (KCl) mixed in 1000 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride. Which action is essential for the nurse to perform when administering this parenteral therapy?

  1. Ensure the infusion rate is controlled by an electronic pump and does not exceed 10 mEq per hour.Answer
  2. B
    Set the infusion pump to deliver the medication at a rate of 40 mEq per hour to quickly stabilize the client.
  3. C
    Connect the IV tubing to a Y-site currently infusing packed red blood cells to avoid an additional venipuncture.
  4. D
    Prioritize obtaining a dietary consult for potassium-rich foods before initiating the intravenous infusion.

Answer

The nurse must use an electronic infusion pump to administer intravenous potassium chloride at a maximum safe rate of 10 mEq per hour.
Intravenous potassium chloride is a high-alert medication that must be administered meticulously. To prevent fatal cardiac dysrhythmias and severe vein irritation, it must always be delivered via an electronic infusion pump to ensure precise rate control. The standard maximum recommended safe rate through a peripheral intravenous line is 10 mEq per hour.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the prescribed medication and its safety parameters.
Potassium chloride is a high-alert medication that can cause fatal cardiac arrhythmias if administered too rapidly.
Recognizing high-alert parenteral medications is the critical first step in ensuring patient safety.
2
Evaluate the safe administration rate for the client's IV access.
The standard maximum safe infusion rate for IV potassium chloride through a peripheral line is 10 mEq per hour.
Exceeding this rate increases the risk of severe phlebitis and life-threatening hyperkalemia.
3
Determine the necessary equipment for safe delivery.
An electronic infusion pump must always be utilized for administration.
Gravity drips cannot guarantee the precise rate control strictly required for potassium infusions.

Key Concept

Intravenous Potassium Administration Safety
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Topics

Pharmacological and Parenteral Therapies

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