The nurse is educating nursing students on how to properly administer potassium chloride (KCL) via infusion. Which of the following statements below are true regarding KCL administration?
The antidote for KCL is regular insulin combined with dextrose.
Never push intravenous (IV) KCL.
Infusion of KCL may cause burning, extravasation, and infiltration.
IV push boluses may be administered if the client is unstable.
This medication should be given while the patient is supine.
Correct Answer : A,B,C
Choice A reason:
Regular insulin combined with dextrose can be used to lower high potassium levels, serving as an antidote for hyperkalemia. This combination helps drive potassium back into the cells, reducing serum potassium levels.
Choice B reason:
Never pushing IV KCL is critical because it can cause fatal arrhythmias. Potassium chloride must be administered as an infusion over time to safely deliver the necessary potassium without causing cardiac complications.
Choice C reason:
Infusion of KCL can cause burning, extravasation, and infiltration at the infusion site. This is because potassium chloride is an irritant to veins, so the site should be monitored closely during administration.
Choice D reason:
IV push boluses of KCL are dangerous and contraindicated due to the high risk of causing life-threatening arrhythmias. KCL should always be infused slowly to mitigate this risk.
Choice E reason:
There is no specific requirement that KCL must be given with the patient supine. This position does not affect the administration or safety of potassium chloride infusion.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is A
Explanation
Choice A reason: This is the correct answer. Renal dysfunction is a common concern in older adults and significantly affects the clearance of medications from the body. Impaired kidney function can lead to the accumulation of drugs, increasing the risk of toxicity.
Choice B reason: Pancreatic impairment affects the digestion and absorption of nutrients, but it is not the primary concern related to medication toxicity. The liver and kidneys are more directly involved in drug metabolism and excretion.
Choice C reason: Increased gastric motility is not typically associated with medication toxicity. Slowed gastric emptying is more common in the elderly and can affect drug absorption, but it is not a primary cause of toxicity.
Choice D reason: Increased blood volume is not usually a physiological change in older adults and is not related to medication toxicity. Instead, decreased blood volume and changes in body composition are more typical and can affect drug distribution and metabolism.
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Choice A reason:
Increased temperature is not a typical finding associated with fluid volume overload. Fluid volume overload affects the circulatory and respiratory systems primarily, and while fever can indicate infection or inflammation, it is not a direct consequence of fluid volume excess.
Choice B reason:
Increased blood pressure is a common finding in fluid volume overload due to the increased volume of blood in the circulatory system. This excess volume can lead to hypertension as the heart works harder to pump the additional fluid, making this a key indicator of fluid volume overload.
Choice C reason:
Bradycardia, or a slow heart rate, is not typically associated with fluid volume overload. In fact, fluid overload often leads to tachycardia as the heart tries to compensate for the increased volume. Bradycardia could indicate other cardiac conditions but is not a sign of fluid volume excess.
Choice D reason:
Increased hematocrit is not expected in fluid volume overload. Hematocrit measures the proportion of red blood cells in the blood, and with fluid overload, this proportion is usually diluted, leading to a lower hematocrit level rather than an increased one.
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