病人獲開立靜脈注射氯化鉀 20 mEq。護理師在給藥前優先採取哪項行動？
A client is prescribed intravenous potassium chloride (KCl) 20 mEq. Which action by the nurse is the priority before administering the medication?
- AEnsure the IV bag is labeled correctly確保靜脈輸液袋標示正確
- BVerify the medication with another nurse與另一位護理師核對藥物
- CCheck the client's most recent serum potassium level✓ 正解檢查病人最近的血清鉀濃度
- DAssess the peripheral intravenous site for patency評估周邊靜脈注射部位是否通暢
鉀離子（Potassium）是細胞內重要的電解質，對心臟傳導系統影響巨大。靜脈注射鉀離子若濃度過高，極易誘發致命性心律不整（arrhythmias），甚至心跳停止。因此，給藥前「確認血鉀濃度」是確保病人安全的最高優先級（safety/priority）。護理師必須確保病人沒有高血鉀（hyperkalemia）的情況，才能給予補充劑。
Potassium is a key intracellular electrolyte that has a major effect on the cardiac conduction system. IV potassium that is too concentrated can readily provoke life-threatening arrhythmias and even cardiac arrest. Therefore, verifying the serum potassium level prior to administration is the highest safety priority. The nurse must ensure the client is not already hyperkalemic before administering a potassium supplement.
在美國臨床，KCl 輸注通常有嚴格的濃度與速度限制（如通常不超過 10mEq/hr，除非有中央靜脈管路），護理師對血鉀數值的判讀權限非常明確，若數值異常，護理師必須主動 Hold 住藥物並聯繫醫師。