[wayunderpaid]

Originally Posted by defeatedcreek

Our hospital stopped using IV potassium because we had too many sentinel events involving their use. In my time there we have still never used IV potassium and opt for PO k-dur instead. Our patients hate those because they're enormous pills.

As far as the magnesium goes we don't piggyback it most of the time. The prescribed rate is the rate most of our mag patients need it. However, by the time they need something like mag we are usually monitoring vital signs and telemetry pretty closely. The changes you can observe from the biochemical exchanges are fascinating.

As always, consult your intravenous medication reference book for further information.

So, what kind of policy does your hosp. have with NPO pts who need electrolyte replacement? I agree with you that K-dur is the preferred method because potassium is absorbed and retained better in the GI tract. But this rule should not apply to NPO of C-diff patients, as they are actually losing their electrolytes through their stools... IMHO
wayunderpaid

[JohnW]

Originally Posted by defeatedcreek

Our hospital stopped using IV potassium because we had too many sentinel events involving their use. In my time there we have still never used IV potassium and opt for PO k-dur instead. Our patients hate those because they're enormous pills.
.

What about people that are NPO?