10mmol/100mL IV solution can be used undiluted as side arm infusion. Correction should not be given at a rate more than 0.2 mmol/kg/hr
Addition of potassium chloride to maintenance IV fluids
Note: Preferable to use premixed maintenance IV fluid with potassium chloride (e.g. Baxter 0.225% sodium chloride + 10% glucose + 2 mmol/100 mL potassium chloride).
If premixed bags are not available, potassium chloride 10mmol/10 mL strength can be added by following the steps below:
Calculate potassium requirement for infant in mmol/day
Infant weight x mmol/kg/day required = mmol/day
E.g. 3 kg x 2 mmol/kg/day = 6 mmol/day
Calculate IV maintenance fluid requirement in mL/day (deduct enteral feeds or other IV infusions)
Infant weight x mL/kg/day = mL/day of IV maintenance fluid
E.g. 3 kg x 90mL (TFR) = 270mL/day of IV maintenance fluid
Calculate volume (mL) of potassium chloride to be added to 500 mL bag
mmol/day ÷ mL per day of IV maintenance fluid x 500 = mmol potassium chloride required.
E.g. mL = 11.1 mmol potassium chloride required ≡ 11.1 mL potassium chloride required
From 500 mL bag, remove the amount of fluid that will be replaced by potassium chloride
E.g. Remove 11.1 mL of IV fluid from 500 mL bag.
Add the calculated volume of potassium chloride to 500 mL bag.
E.g. Add 11.1 mL of potassium chloride to 500 mL bag.
The bag must be inverted ten times to ensure potassium chloride is thoroughly mixed throughout the solution.
Apply a fluid label, clearly identifying addition of potassium chloride as per NSW health policy
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