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
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.
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