Managing Hyperkalemia with Insulin and Dextrose

A patient is admitted to the hospital with symptoms of hyperkalemia, including lethargy, muscle weakness, and palpitations. The laboratory results indicate a serum potassium level of 6.5 mEq/L. To manage this condition effectively, the nurse understands that administering calcium gluconate is an important intervention. This medication helps to stabilize the heart muscle's action in the presence of elevated potassium levels. In addition to calcium gluconate, the nurse is aware that insulin and glucose can be administered to shift potassium back into the cells. In this case, the nurse prepares to administer a dose of insulin along with glucose to assist in correcting the patient's potassium levels. If the patient receives 10 units of insulin, a dose of ____ grams of dextrose is typically given to prevent hypoglycemia. Based on the protocol, fill in the blank with the appropriate amount of dextrose.