A nurse is preparing to administer intravenous potassium chloride (KCl) to a patient. Which critical action must the nurse perform before administering this high-alert medication?
A
Ensure the medication is administered as a rapid IV bolus.
B
Confirm the patient's potassium level is within normal limits.
C
Verify the concentration and dilution with another registered nurse.
D
Instruct the patient to report any burning sensation at the IV site.
✓ Correct Answer: Option C
IV potassium chloride is a high-alert medication that can be fatal if administered incorrectly. Double-checking concentration and dilution with another RN is a critical safety measure to prevent errors, as it is never given as a bolus and requires specific dilution.
💡 Why is C) the correct answer?
The correct answer to the question "A nurse is preparing to administer intravenous potassium chloride (KCl) to a patient. Which critical action must the nurse perform before administering this high-alert medication?" is Option C: Verify the concentration and dilution with another registered nurse..
The other options — A) Ensure the medication is administered as a rapid IV bolus., B) Confirm the patient's potassium level is within normal limits., D) Instruct the patient to report any burning sensation at the IV site. — are incorrect for this NCLEX-RN Exam Prep question. As explained above: IV potassium chloride is a high-alert medication that can be fatal if administered incorrectly. Double-checking concentration and dilution with another RN is a critical safety measure to prevent erro…
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