Blood Administration & KCL Bolus

Nurses General Nursing

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Does anyone know the potential effects of administering blood and a KCL bolus through the same tubing (using 2 different pumps at the same time). It is my understanding that it should be blood and NS only, but does anyone have any idea?

Originally posted by petiteflower

I agree with that---but another nurse didn't -- stated that KCL is already in the body so it's OK to run both at the same time. My question is, what are the potential complications? I can't find anything anywhere!!

You do not find anything because this is simply not done.

The body contains saline but you would not drink sea water. She is being too simplistic in her thought processes.

The Infusion Nursing Standards of Practice state, "No medications or solutions should be added to blood an/or blood components other than preservative-free 0.9% sodium chjloride solution (injectible)."

I agree with every one that nothing should be mixed with blood. I have never questioned that.

I just wanted to be able to explain to her the possible ramifications from running potassium with blood like that.

The carrier was NS, I don't remember what the concentration was. It shouldn't have happened at all.

We were able to show her----I even found pics of crenated blood cells hopefully it left an imprint so it never happens again.

Specializes in Step down, ICU, ER, PACU, Amb. Surg.

I was alway s taught like Angus reiterated....never EVER infuse anything with blood but 0.9% NS. Feel free to infuse other products/medications at the same time via a DIFFERENT line and site but never, NEVER infuse anything through the same line as blood.

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