The nurse receives a prescription for potassium chloride 40 mEq IV. Which action is safest?
1Add the potassium to a syringe and inject through the closest IV port.
2Verify dilution and infusion rate, then administer with an infusion pump.✓ Correct answer
3Give undiluted potassium to avoid fluid overload in a heart failure patient.
4Administer the potassium by rapid IV push through a peripheral line.
Explanation
IV potassium must be diluted and infused at a safe prescribed rate, commonly with an infusion pump. Rapid IV push or undiluted administration can cause fatal dysrhythmias. Verification of concentration and rate is a high-priority safety step.
Clinical Judgment Use the client cues, timing, labs, and safety risks to select the response that best fits IV potassium safety.
Memory Tip Match the strongest cue cluster to the safest nursing judgment.
KR vs US NCLEX items reward cue-based priority thinking rather than isolated recall.
Clinical Practice GuideFor IV potassium safety, compare the complete cue pattern with the client's current stability, ordered data, and expected nursing scope.
CautionDo not choose an action from one isolated cue when the full scenario changes priority or safety.
Potassium Chloride — An electrolyte replacement medication that can be dangerous if infused too rapidly.
Infusion Pump — A device that controls IV medication delivery rate.
Dysrhythmia — An abnormal heart rhythm that can be caused by electrolyte imbalance or unsafe medication administration.