Answer :
To calculate the amount of potassium chloride liquid to administer, you need to set up a proportion based on the information given.
Ordered: 15 mEq every 12 hours
On hand: 20 mEq in 15 mL
We need to find out how many milliliters correspond to 15 mEq.
Here's the step-by-step calculation:
Set up the proportion based on what you need to give and what you have:
[tex]\frac{15 \text{ mEq}}{x \text{ mL}} = \frac{20 \text{ mEq}}{15 \text{ mL}}[/tex]Solve for [tex]x[/tex] by cross-multiplying:
[tex]15 \text{ mEq} \times 15 \text{ mL} = 20 \text{ mEq} \times x \text{ mL}[/tex]Simplify the equation:
[tex]225 = 20x[/tex]Divide both sides by 20 to isolate [tex]x[/tex]:
[tex]x = \frac{225}{20}[/tex]Simplify the result:
[tex]x = 11.25 \text{ mL}[/tex]
Therefore, the amount to administer is 11.25 mL of potassium chloride liquid every 12 hours.
This calculation ensures that the patient receives the correct dose of potassium chloride as ordered by the healthcare provider.
