Question

question 74

a pharmacy technician should identify that which of the following is a primary strategy recommended by ismp to prevent errors with concentrated electrolyte solutions such as potassium chloride (kcl)?

removing concentrated kcl from patient care areas and stocking only premixed, diluted solutions.
storing concentrated kcl on the same shelf as other iv solutions for easy access.
requiring nurses to dilute concentrated kcl at the bedside.
labeling concentrated kcl with a black box warning sticker only.

Explanation:

Analyze the question and target

The question asks for a primary strategy recommended by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) to prevent errors with concentrated electrolyte solutions, specifically potassium chloride (\(\text{KCl}\)).

Evaluate the options using safety guidelines

• Option 1: "Removing concentrated \(\text{KCl}\) from patient care areas and stocking only premixed, diluted solutions."
• This aligns with ISMP Guidelines and Medication Safety protocols. Concentrated \(\text{KCl}\) is a high-alert medication that can be fatal if administered undiluted. Removing it from patient care units prevents accidental direct IV injection of the concentrate.
• Option 2: "Storing concentrated \(\text{KCl}\) on the same shelf as other IV solutions for easy access."
• This increases the risk of selection errors (look-alike packaging) and is highly discouraged.
• Option 3: "Requiring nurses to dilute concentrated \(\text{KCl}\) at the bedside."
• Bedside preparation of high-alert infusions increases the risk of calculation and dilution errors.
• Option 4: "Labeling concentrated \(\text{KCl}\) with a black box warning sticker only."
• While labeling is helpful, relying on warning stickers alone is a weak system control compared to physically removing the hazard from patient care areas.

Determine the correct strategy

The most effective, high-leverage system-level intervention recommended by the ISMP is to eliminate the hazard from clinical units entirely by removing concentrated vials and replacing them with commercially prepared, premixed, diluted solutions.

Answer:

• Removing concentrated KCl from patient care areas and stocking only premixed, diluted solutions. (Correct answer)
• Storing concentrated KCl on the same shelf as other IV solutions for easy access.
• Requiring nurses to dilute concentrated KCl at the bedside.
• Labeling concentrated KCl with a black box warning sticker only.