Evolve HESI Practice Exam

When setting an intravenous infusion pump for a client receiving KCl, what is the correct rate if 10 mEq of KCl is diluted in 250 ml of normal saline over 4 hours?

1. 50 ml/hour

2. 63 ml/hour

3. 70 ml/hour

4. 80 ml/hour

The correct answer is: 63 ml/hour

To determine the correct rate for administering the intravenous infusion of KCl, it's essential to calculate the hourly rate based on the total volume and the infusion time. In this case, you have 250 ml of normal saline that is being infused over 4 hours. The calculation for the infusion rate is straightforward: 1. Start with the total volume to be infused: 250 ml. 2. The total time for the infusion is 4 hours. To find the hourly infusion rate, divide the total volume by the total time of infusion: \[ \text{Infusion rate} = \frac{\text{Total volume}}{\text{Total time}} = \frac{250 \, \text{ml}}{4 \, \text{hours}} = 62.5 \, \text{ml/hour} \] Rounding this figure gives you approximately 63 ml/hour. Thus, the correct rate for the intravenous pump to administer the KCl diluted in normal saline over the specified time is 63 ml/hour. This calculation ensures that the client receives the correct dosage of potassium chloride safely and effectively within the designated time frame.