Why do I need to administer Liquid KCL with lots of water?

[ironman53]

For example order states gives 20MEQ/15ml of KCL with 120cc of water. Why can't I just give the pt the 15cc of KCL? A woman was fired because she didn't dilute the medication when administering via GT.

[PickleRicked]

Potassium is very irritating in any form. Just like you would not give it via IV push without dilution because it may cause the heart to stop, a large dose could theoretically be lethal when given PO or GT. Also, it can be very irritating to the stomach if not diluted just as it is a vessicant. Depending where the feeding tube has been placed in the GI system the dose could be directly administered where absorption to the blood stream could be fast enough for a lethal dose. Otherwise, It could trigger nausea or vomiting as a response which as well as being uncomfortable for the patient will jeopardize the intended medication and any others administered from being absorbed and having intended effects.

[CharleeFoxtrot, BSN, RN]

... A woman was fired because she didn't dilute the medication when administering via GT.

I would hope so.

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

I wouldn't have diluted it. I would have administered it with a meal, not on a completely empty stomach, but firing sounds harsh Unless that particular patient is careplanned for this.

[quiltynurse56, LPN, LVN]

Because KCl is a hypertonic and diluting to reduce intestinal issues. This is why you dilute it when administering it via G-Tube. Sometimes, when a patient has intestinal issues, you would want to dilute it when administering it orally.

[mrsboots87]

Potassium is essentially liquid fire in whichever route it is administered.

I had to write an incident report on a nurse who administered PO liquid KCL undiluted to a patient with pretty bad Barrets esophagus. He had severe pain for a couple days after.

[Glycerine82, LPN]

k+ has to be given with adequate water to ensure the GI tract isn't irritated or even corroded from the medicine. Same goes for peg tube. Never give a med if you don't know the reason and any other info reading the med. Fiber has to be given with adequate water as well, as does fosamax.