Question

Standing orders on the cardiac unit require adding 20 mEq of KCL to each liter of solution after 24 hours of IV therapy. The nurse is aware that prior to hanging the KCL, what action must be taken?

Answer 1

Nurses must first check a patient's potassium levels before adding KCl to IV solutions. If supplementation is necessary, they use a sterile technique to add the prescribed amount from a stock solution to the IV bag, ensuring the appropriate diluted electrolyte concentration.

Step-by-step explanation:

Before administering potassium chloride (KCl) to a patient, it is imperative that the nurse checks the patient's current potassium levels to ensure that there is a genuine need for supplementation. If the potassium level is within a normal range or high, administering additional potassium could be dangerous.

If the level is low and supplementation is needed, then the nurse can proceed with adding the prescribed 20 mEq of KCl to each liter of IV solution. This should be done using a sterile technique to withdraw the concentrated KCl stock solution with a syringe and injecting the appropriate amount into the IV bag to achieve the desired electrolyte concentration. This process of diluting a solution is a critical competency in medical practice.