You are caring for a client with severe hypokalemia. The physician has ordered IV potassium to be administered at10 mEq/hr. The client complains of burning along his vein. What should you do?
A) Seek a physician's order to dilute the infusion.
B) Switch to an oral formulation.
C) Increase the speed of transfusion.
D) Change the electrolyte.
A
Feedback:
Treatment of severe hypokalemia requires treatment with IV infusion of potassium. Clients may experience burning along the vein with IV infusion of potassium in proportion to the infusion's concentration. If the client can tolerate the fluid, consult with the physician about diluting the potassium in a larger volume of IV solution. Oral potassium may not be enough in severe cases hypokalemia. Hypokalemia requires treatment with potassium and not any other electrolyte.
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