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As long as their levels were within the safe range you would give it. You would hold it if their levels were too high. If they are receiving the potassium and the labs show their levels are normal you would give it as ordered.Obviously the dose is needed to keep the levels normal for that patient.Usually patients that are on a diuretic need a potassium supplement since diuretics deplete potassium levels.
It is because the patient is losing the potassium and you want to maintain the normal range. Think of it as a glass with a hole in the bottom. You want to the level in the glass the same, so every 8 hrs you check it and add more. If you check it and the hole gets plugged and the fluid is at the rim of the glass you don't want to add any more.
It is because the patient is losing the potassium and you want to maintain the normal range. Think of it as a glass with a hole in the bottom. You want to the level in the glass the same so every 8 hrs you check it and add more. If you check it and the hole gets plugged and the fluid is at the rim of the glass you don't want to add any more.[/quote']Good analogy.
rosemary_petals
30 Posts
At our school and according to lippincott/Willet the normal lab value for potassium chloride is 3.5 - 5.2. Well one of the questions on our meds test was would you hold or administer this med if the patient's potassium level was 3.5 and the doctor's order reads give daily dose of potassium chloride once daily.
The answer I chose was HOLD the med bc the pt's K+ lab value is normal.
Well this answer was marked WRONG and I FAILED the test bc I missed this one.
Why would I give the pt this drug if his/her levels are 3.5 which is considered a normal range???
My teacher said you would still give it but you would hold it if its 5.2. (??) so lost!