How many milliequivalents (meq) of potassium per hour is the patient receiving if 60 meq is in 2000 milliliters (ml) and administered at 50 ml/hour?

Potassium Infusion Rate Calculation

The patient is receiving 1.5 mEq of potassium per hour.

Mathematical Calculation

The calculation is straightforward using the concentration and infusion rate:

• Concentration: 60 mEq potassium in 2000 mL = 0.03 mEq/mL
• Infusion rate: 50 mL/hour
• Potassium delivery: 0.03 mEq/mL × 50 mL/hour = 1.5 mEq/hour

Safety Assessment of This Infusion Rate

This infusion rate is well within safe parameters and appropriate for moderate hypokalemia. 1

Guideline-Based Safety Limits

• The FDA label for IV potassium states that for serum potassium greater than 2.5 mEq/L, potassium should be given at a rate not to exceed 10 mEq/hour in a concentration less than 30 mEq/liter 1
• The current concentration of 30 mEq/L (60 mEq in 2000 mL) is at the upper limit of the recommended concentration for standard infusion rates 1
• The American Diabetes Association recommends a maximum of 200 mEq per 24 hours for potassium replacement 2

Clinical Context

At 1.5 mEq/hour, this patient would receive:

• 36 mEq over 24 hours if the infusion continues at this rate
• This is well below the 200 mEq/24-hour maximum recommended by guidelines 2

Important Safety Considerations

Continuous cardiac monitoring is recommended if the patient has any of the following risk factors: 3, 2

• Serum potassium <2.5 mEq/L 2
• ECG abnormalities (ST depression, T wave flattening, prominent U waves) 3
• Concurrent digoxin therapy 2
• Cardiac disease or arrhythmias 3

Critical concurrent interventions that must be addressed: 3, 2

• Check and correct magnesium levels first, as hypomagnesemia makes hypokalemia resistant to correction 3
• Confirm adequate urine output before administering potassium 2
• Avoid peripheral infusion of concentrations >200 mEq/L due to pain and phlebitis risk 2

Monitoring Protocol

Recheck potassium levels within 1-2 hours after IV potassium correction to ensure adequate response and avoid overcorrection 3

For ongoing infusions at this rate, monitor potassium levels every 2-4 hours during the acute treatment phase until stabilized 3