Potassium IV hack

[atlnurse7]

I found a great hack for administering Potassium through a PIV! 

I had a DKA patient yesterday who was off her insulin drip and alert and oriented x 4. I tried to give her PO potassium but she declined and said she rather have IV instead. I warned her it would hurt, and she said okay anyways. I primed my line and threw a filter on it, and it didn’t burn or hurt her at all. Line was still patent with a good blood return and a flush about 20 min after the potassium had finished infusing. 

[MunoRN, RN]

I missed the "hack" in that description.

[atlnurse7]

Should’ve clarified. Use a filter when administering IV potassium via PIV

[londonflo]

22 hours ago, atlnurse7 said:

I tried to give her PO potassium but she declined and said she rather have IV instead. 

What was the route specified by the ordering physician? The gut is always the better route for K+ when that is available. Filter or no filter you are gambling with a throw of the dice. 

[atlnurse7]

Our protocol for replacement in our PRN orders includes both IV and PO.

Plus if she refuses PO, I can’t make her take it LOL. It went fine and her IV was still beautifully patent without any complications or pain

[londonflo]

I still have to say..you risked a line because a patient would not take K+ po? May be the outcome was okay but what about the nurses who come after you ( a general med surg floor)  when caring for this patient? What about if this is going to be a home medicine? You need to think about the follow up care. 

[atlnurse7]

My preceptor is the one who told me to do IV potassium. I wanted to confirm with her before doing it, my preceptor didn’t hesitate. Given the patient, her age and history, there was no reason not to. I’m not going to force a patient to do something they don’t want to do after I attempt to educate and they still refuse. 

[chare]

12 hours ago, atlnurse7 said:

Should’ve clarified. Use a filter when administering IV potassium via PIV

What exactly do you think the filter did?

[offlabel]

Sometimes PIV K doesn't hurt.....

[K. Everly, BSN, RN]

I wonder what the filter did..? I'm glad it worked out. I'm really curious why tho. 

[offlabel]

6 hours ago, K. Everly said:

I wonder what the filter did..? I'm glad it worked out. I'm really curious why tho. 

slowed down the infusion? Nothing?

[atlnurse7]

I honestly have no idea how exactly the filter helped. I didn’t slow the infusion rate down, I followed my med orders precisely. 
I do wanna know why it worked too! But just know it does