The physician orders potassium chloride (KCL) for the patient who ...

[Awilson837]

The physician orders potassium chloride (KCL) for the patient who has a nasogastric (NG) tube. What will the nurse plan to do prior to the administration of this drug?
 
  1. Dilute the drug prior to administration through the nasogastric (NG) tube.
  2. Flush the nasogastric (NG) tube with Coca-Cola before and after administration.
  3. Flush the nasogastric (NG) tube with normal saline before and after administration.
  4. There is no particular preparation prior to administration.

Question 2

The physician has ordered ammonium chloride for the patient. What will be a primary assessment of the nurse during administration?
 
  1. The patient's level of orientation
  2. The patient's blood pressure
  3. The patient's renal status
  4. The patient's liver status

[Joy Chen]

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1
Rationale: Liquid forms of potassium chloride (KCL) must be diluted prior to administration through a nasogastric (NG) tube to decrease gastrointestinal (GI) distress. There is a preparation; the drug must be diluted to decrease gastrointestinal (GI) distress. Flushing the tube with Coca-Cola is an outdated practice, and should not be done. Flushing the tube before and after administration of the drug is important, but the drug must still be diluted to decrease gastrointestinal (GI) distress.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 3
Rationale: The nurse must closely monitor the patient's renal status during the administration of ammonium chloride, because the excretion of this drug depends on normal kidney function. Although important, blood pressure is not a primary assessment for a patient receiving ammonium chloride. Although important, liver status is not a primary assessment for a patient receiving ammonium chloride. Although important, the level of orientation is not a primary assessment for a patient receiving ammonium chloride.

[Awilson837]

Both answers were spot on, thank you once again

[Joy Chen]

Great! Please up vote