The patient is prescribed to receive intravenous potassium ...

[B]

The patient is prescribed to receive intravenous potassium chloride (KCL). Which actions should the nurse take when administering this medication?
 
  Select all that apply.
  1. Administer the dose IV push over 3 minutes.
  2. Monitor the injection site for redness.
  3. Add the ordered dose to the IV hanging.
  4. Use an infusion controller for the IV.
  5. Monitor fluid intake and output.

Question 2

An older postoperative patient is demonstrating lethargy, confusion, and a respiratory rate of 8 per minute. The nurse sees that the last dose of pain medication administered via a patient controlled anesthesia (PCA) pump was within 30 minutes. Which acid
 
  1. respiratory acidosis
  2. metabolic acidosis
  3. respiratory alkalosis
  4. metabolic alkalosis

[patma1981]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 2, 4, 5
KCL should be given via IV infusion, not IV push, and should not be added to the IV hanging. The nurse should monitor the injection site for redness, use an infusion controller for the IV infusion, and monitor patient fluid intake and output.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 1
Acute respiratory acidosis occurs due to a sudden failure of ventilation. Overdoses of narcotic or sedative medications can lead to this condition. Respiratory alkalosis is characterized by anxiety with hyperventilation. The patient condition being described is respiratory, not metabolic, in nature.