For a potassium level of 2.9 in a patient with cardiac disease and without renal impairment, the prescriber will order which of the following treatments?

1) An oral potassium supplement, like K-dur, 10 meq daily.
2) 40 meq KCL/250 ml NS over four hours.
3) 20 meq KCL intramuscularly.
4) 10 meq KCL orally in orange juice each day for four days.

An oral potassium supplement like K-dur would typically be used for mild hypokalemia in a stable patient, while intravenous (IV) potassium chloride might be needed in more serious cases or when oral administration is not suitable. Hence the correct answer is 1.

Explanation:

For a patient with cardiac disease and normal renal function who has a potassium level of 2.9, which is below the normal serum potassium levels of 3.5-5.0 mEq/L, the prescriber would typically order an oral or intravenous (IV) potassium supplement to correct hypokalemia. Treatment options vary depending on the severity of the hypokalemia and patient-specific factors. An oral potassium supplement, like K-dur, 10 meq daily, is usually considered for mild cases and when patients can tolerate oral medications.

IV potassium chloride (KCL) in a solution, such as 40 meq KCL/250 ml NS over four hours, may be used in more urgent cases or when oral supplementation is not appropriate. Intramuscular (IM) administration of potassium, option 3, is typically not used due to the risk of pain and tissue damage. The option of 10 meq KCL orally in orange juice each day for four days (option 4) might be used if the goal is gradual replenishment in a stable patient. The appropriate treatment should be determined by a healthcare professional based on patient-specific assessments.