Potassium chloride should be administered by which method?

• A. Intramuscular
• B. IV infusion
• C. IV push
• D. Subcutaneous

Answer: (B)

Potassium chloride must be given cautiously because it’s a potent electrolyte that can cause dangerous heart rhythm changes if delivered too fast or into the wrong tissue. The safe, appropriate method for administering potassium chloride is IV infusion. This allows the dose to be diluted and delivered slowly with controlled rate, typically using an infusion pump, while monitoring the patient’s cardiac rhythm, kidney function, and fluid status.

Intramuscular or subcutaneous administration is avoided because potassium chloride can cause severe local tissue irritation and necrosis, and absorption from these routes is unpredictable. IV push delivers a rapid bolus of potassium, which can precipitate life-threatening hyperkalemia and arrhythmias, so it is not used for routine replacement.