The nurse is to administer 40 mEq of IV KCl to the patient with severe hypokalemia. Why did the pharmacy send up four 100 mL IV bags with 10 mEq of KCl in each bag?

The pharmacy provided 4 100 mL IV bags each containing 10 mEq of KCl for precise administration and safety, crucial in correcting the patient's severe hypokalemia.

Explanation:

The pharmacy sent up 4 100 mL IV bags with 10 mEq of KCl in each bag because this method allows for the precise administration of the required 40 mEq of KCl for the patient with severe hypokalemia. In medical practices, especially when dealing with IV solutions, it is crucial to administer the correct dosage to ensure patient safety and treatment efficacy. The preparation of the IV solution might involve dilution calculations to achieve the desired concentration from a stock solution. Given the sensitive nature of potassium levels in the blood, the pharmacy prepares IV bags with a specific mEq to avoid the risk of overcorrection or undercorrection of the patient's potassium levels.