A patient has a serum potassium level of 2.7 mEq/L. The patient's ...

[tingc95]

A patient has a serum potassium level of 2.7 mEq/L. The patient's provider has determined that the patient will need 200 mEq of potassium to replace serum losses. How will the nurse caring for this patient expect to administer the potassium?
 
  a. As a single-dose 200 mEq oral tablet
  b. As an intravenous bolus over 15 to 20 minutes
  c. In an intravenous solution at a rate of 10 mEq/hour
  d. In an intravenous solution at a rate of 45 mEq/hour

Question 2

A patient who is being treated for dehydration is receiving 5 dextrose and 0.45 normal saline with 20 mEq/L potassium chloride at a rate of 125 mL/hour.
 
  The nurse assuming care for the patient reviews the patient's serum electrolytes and notes a serum sodium level of 140 mEq/L and a serum potassium level of 3.6 mEq/L. The patient had a urine output of 250 mL during the last 12-hour shift. Which action will the nurse take?
  a. Contact the patient's provider to discuss increasing the potassium chloride to 40 mEq/L.
  b. Continue the intravenous fluids as ordered and reassess the patient frequently.
  c. Notify the provider and discuss increasing the rate of fluids to 200 mL/hour.
  d. Stop the intravenous fluids and notify the provider of the assessment findings.

[Leostella20]

Answer to Question 1

ANS: C
Potassium chloride should be given intravenously when hypokalemia is severe, so this patient should receive IV potassium chloride. Potassium should never be given as a bolus and should be administered slowly. The maximum infusion rate for adults with a serum potassium level greater than 2.5 mEq/L is 10 mEq/hour or 200 mEq/24 hours.

Answer to Question 2

ANS: D
The patient's potassium level is within normal limits, but the urine output is decreased, so the patient should not be receiving IV potassium. The nurse should stop the IV and report the findings to the provider. The patient does not need an increase in potassium. The patient needs more fluids but not with potassium.