need perspective- rapid administration of potassium - page 2

See if this helps Potassium may no longer be stocked on patient care units, but serious threats still exist!

Sorry, I wasn't directing that last sentence at you, but just the community as a whole. Good for you for catching and correcting that (very serious) error.

Well......for most institutions.....20meq/hr in a central line only is the standard of care. However.....I have seen as high as 40meq/hr in a central line only....and that is RARE AND losely monitored in certain situations where the K+ is critically low and massive diuresis is occurring, like Diabeties insipidus and DKA with critical acidosis and hypokalemia

All patients receiving over 10meq/hr need to be on a cardiac monitor and access for immediate resuscitative equipment available.

protocol from the Bon Secours system


Correction of Critical Hypokalemia - emergency medicine updates

But regardless of the evidence saying it is OK...per se......this patient was not in an intensive care setting. You need to look at your policy at your facility. My issue is also the intent of the order was not to infuse 30 meq/45min....and certainly not on a peripheral line. Whoever did the calculation missed a decimal/number....as the infusion should have been over 3 hours. what was the order? what did the order say?

Our policy is K at 10mEq per hour MAX. I've given up to 60 mEqs IV before over 6 hours, but we absolutely do not go over 10mEq/hr. And I work a hem/onc unit. We have central lines everywhere!

That is way too fast. Potassium should be given at a MAX of 10mEq/hr through a peripheral line and 20mEq/hr through a central line. PO administration is actually the best way to give potassium, unless of course that route is contraindicated.

Check the administration guidelines in your facility and talk with the pharmacist. I would seriously doubt that that is an acceptable choice for admin rate! I would also take what you learned and educate your peer, either using the unit educator or manager as an intermediary or individually as the situation calls for.