lasix and kcl

[RNurse24]

ok...the mar order is 40 mg route iv lasix...understandably potassium was prescribed also since lasix is a potassium wasting diuretic...well the kcl (potassium) ordered was 40mg oral...which was weird to me because potassium is always in meq. so 2 potassium tablets was pulled out 20 meq each equalling 40meq...is mg and meq used the same in kcl tablets?

[Vespertinas]

Mole! Mole! Mole...you bloody mole bastard! Moley, moley, moley....

[Anna Flaxis, BSN, RN]

*Sitting on fingers*

[BostonTerrierLover, BSN, RN]

I would have made the quick phone call to breathe and sleep easier, . . .

But I'm not going to take the martyr high road that easy, you who know me, I AM OPINIONATED!!!!!!

NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS, YOU LEARN FROM IT AND MOVE ON, YOU'LL NEVER MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE AGAIN NOW, AND NO ONE WILL DIE BECAUSE OF THIS.

IF YOUR GUT MAKES YOU STOP, STOP AND LISTEN, AND THEN ACT.

THEN GO HOME, AND YOU CAN FORGET WORK, AND NOT LET A MILLION THINGS RUN THROUGH YOUR HEAD IN FEAR OF DISCIPLINE. TAKE THE EXTRA MINUTE TO GET IT RIGHT, AND YOU WILL HAVE A TON OF STRESS OFF OF YOU.

NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER NEVER ASSUME!

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

wow...this really made my day...since she pulled out the medicine with the mar i'm assuming i thought everything was good...but as a new employee and each day after work you think back about the things you did right and wrong i wish i caught it right then and there....thanks for the replies

Rule number one in nursing......never assume.

You know what AssUme spells right? AssUme?

Now I have only seen KCL ordered in meq. Your preceptor should have caught this as well as told you to clarify the order or check the order to see if it was transcribed on the MAR wrong or a spelling error.

Now I am sure the patient got the right med but technically it is an error because the MAR says one thing and you gave another. But that is what orientation is all about....Learning.

:hug:....Now onto the next lesson. Good Luck!!

[GitanoRN, BSN, MSN, RN]

undoubtedly, you feel bad enough regarding the whole ordeal, however, my question is did you give the medication or not?, and if you did, have you called your facility since you were off to advised them of the mar error? consequently, now you'll have to face the music as they say... wishing you luck, as you learn from this experience.