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NCLEX-RN
Physiological Integrity

Potassium Replacement Calculation in Hypokalemia

Very Hard Physiological Adaptation Fluid And Electrolyte Imbalances

A 70-year-old patient is admitted to the hospital with dehydration due to severe diarrhea and vomiting. The nurse is concerned about the potential for electrolyte imbalances. Upon assessment, the patient exhibits muscle weakness, cramping, and an irregular heartbeat. Laboratory tests reveal a potassium level of 2.8 mEq/L. The nurse recognizes that this value indicates severe hypokalemia. To effectively manage this condition, the provider orders potassium replacement therapy at a rate of 10 mEq/hour. Given that the patient requires a total of 40 mEq and that the infusion will take 4 hours, what is the appropriate volume in milliliters of a potassium chloride solution (KCl) containing 20 mEq/20 mL that the nurse should administer every hour to meet the total requirement?

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