Question

What precautions should you use when adding potassium to IV fluids?

a. Never give IV push and ensure good urine output
b. Give slow IV push
c. Add it all IV fluids especially if the child is dehydrated

Answer 1

When adding potassium to IV fluids for a patient with hypokalemia, it should never be given IV push, and the solution must be carefully prepared from a stock solution. An isotonic saline solution is administered to dehydrated patients, and it's vital to ensure the patient has good urine output and to monitor their electrolyte balance and cardiac function during treatment.

Step-by-step explanation:

When adding potassium to IV fluids, especially in an emergency room situation where a physician orders it for a patient with hypokalemia, certain precautions are essential. Firstly, it should never be given as an IV push, which means injecting the potassium directly into the bloodstream at once because this can cause lethal consequences. The correct procedure involves an aide preparing the solution by diluting a more concentrated stock solution of KCl with a sterile solution, ensuring the concentration is appropriate for intravenous delivery. For a patient suffering from dehydration, an isotonic saline solution is typically administered to restore fluid balance without causing further osmotic imbalances in the blood.

Additionally, it's crucial to ensure that the patient has good urine output, indicating that their kidneys are functioning well enough to handle and excrete the extra potassium being introduced to the body. It's also important to monitor the patient's electrolyte levels and cardiac function while receiving potassium to prevent any adverse effects.