The healthcare provider orders potassium chloride 30 mEq per orem (meaning orally) every 8 hours (q means every, 8h means 8 hours). The prescribed dose is 10 to 100 mEq per day per orem. Since the patient will take 30 mEq of potassium chloride every 6 hours; then in 24 hours, the patient will receive a total of 120 mEq of potassium chloride which exceeds the recommended dose of 10 to 100 mEq per day. In conclusion, 30 mEq every 8 hours is not within the safe range.
