Question

the nurse is planning care for a client who has been prescribed intravenous potassium.Which nursing action is necessary

a) Provide client with printed drug information
b) Keep the client NPO
c) Administer IV push
d) Obtain an infusion pump

Answer 1

Ans) d) Obtain an infusion pump

Explaination:

- While intravenous potassium dosages of up to 40 mEq/h have been advocated, patients should receive no more than 20 mEq/h IV to avoid potential deleterious effects on the cardiac conduction system.

- Potassium solutions should never be given as an intravenous push and should be administered as a dilute solution.

- The maximum infusion rate via peripheral line is 10 mEq per hour. In neonates and pediatrics, the maximum infusion rate via peripheral line is 0.5 - 1 meq/kg/hour. A. In adults, the preferred concentration via central line is 20 mEq/100 ml.

- Rapid IV infusion may cause cardiac arrhythmias.

- So to obtain an infusion pump can administer dose at desired level.