Patient Safety & Quality AssuranceQuestion 61 of 100
An order calls for potassium chloride 20 mEq to be added to 100 mL of diluent. The stock vial is labeled 2 mEq/mL. What volume should be withdrawn?
a.2 mL
b.10 mL
c.20 mL
d.40 mL
Explanation
20 mEq divided by 2 mEq/mL equals 10 mL, which is then added to the 100 mL bag. Withdrawing 2 mL or 20 mL would deliver 4 mEq or 40 mEq, and 40 mL would give 80 mEq — four times the order. Concentrated potassium chloride is a high-alert product that must always be diluted before administration and never dispensed as an undiluted vial to a patient care area.
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