How many mEq's of K would it take to kill a 54lb woman?

[DaughteroftheKing]

Im a nursing student and I got written up a couple weeks ago

I was giving a patient- who was only 54lbs her prescribed dose of KCl. It was via NG tube and the ordered dose was 60mEq. I had to do the math to figure out how many mL's contained the 60mEq the dr ordered and I did it real quick in my head and did it wrong and of course got in huge trouble, which I admit I completely deserved & will always write my math & double check from now on!!

Anyways my instructor is having me write a paper as punishment & part of it is to research how many mEqs KCl would it take to kill a 54lb woman?

Thanks for your help!

Ive researched this & looked in my drug book but was unable to find this...

[Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN]

Ouch that would burn!! And to answere the question of how much it would take, it depends on the patients cardiac threshold as to if they can handle a higher dose. Most renal patients can very easily handle it, but other patients can go into fatal arrhythmias on a 6.5 K+.

Well, I never said it would be a painless death...

[Pat_Pat RN]

Given what you said in your last post, "60meq/30ml". That extra 20meq *shouldn't* hurt a person. But as others have said, depending on her baseline K+.

Granted, it was a near error, and you are in school. So take it, do the paper and you never forget!

Good luck to you. Remember, you are in school, they want you to get the right answer, if you have to stop, and I mean stop everyone to answer a question, you do it. I remember doing it once during school, it was uncomfortable for me, like everyone was staring at me, but I got the right answer. Part of Nursing School that isn't pushed enough is the ability to stand by your answer.

We home school our daughter, and often times, in an attempt to bolster her self-esteem (follow me here....) I will ask her a question, and even when she gives me the right answer, I'll ask, "Are you sure?" Lots of times she will change her answer. I've explained to her, just because I say "are yousure" doesn't mean you aren't right. I just want you to KNOW you are right and not be swayed by me questioning you.

So I say to you: Find the right answer, then stick to it, even if questioned.

Pat