A nurse receives a telephone prescription to administer potassium chloride by IV push for a client with hypokalemia. Which response is most appropriate?

Potassium chloride must never be administered by IV push because it can cause fatal dysrhythmias. The nurse must question and refuse an unsafe prescription and use the chain of command if needed. Cosigning, diluting, or giving it slowly does not make the route safe.

In-depth explanation

<span class='merci-scenario-label'>Clinical Judgment</span><br>Use the client cues, timing, labs, and safety risks to select the response that best fits Unsafe potassium prescription.<br><br><span class='merci-scenario-label'>Memory Tip</span><br>Match the strongest cue cluster to the safest nursing judgment.<br><br><span class='merci-scenario-label'>KR vs US</span><br>NCLEX items reward cue-based priority thinking rather than isolated recall.

Clinical scenario

<span class='merci-scenario-label'>Clinical Practice Guide</span><br>For Unsafe potassium prescription, compare the complete cue pattern with the client's current stability, ordered data, and expected nursing scope.<br><br><span class='merci-scenario-label'>Caution</span><br>Do not choose an action from one isolated cue when the full scenario changes priority or safety.

Key concepts

• Chain of Command — The escalation pathway used when a safety concern is not resolved.
• Potassium Chloride — An electrolyte replacement that requires dilution and controlled IV administration.
• IV Push — Rapid direct IV administration that is unsafe for potassium chloride.