Which medication should NOT be administered via IV push in less than 10 minutes?

• A. Sodium chloride
• B. Calcium gluconate
• C. Potassium chloride
• D. Magnesium sulfate

Answer: (C)

Potassium chloride should not be administered via IV push in less than 10 minutes due to the potential for serious cardiac complications. Rapid infusion of potassium can lead to hyperkalemia, which can cause life-threatening arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. The standard recommendation is to dilute potassium chloride and administer it slowly, ideally through an infusion pump, to minimize the risk of these adverse effects.

In contrast, other medications listed, such as sodium chloride, calcium gluconate, and magnesium sulfate, typically have different administration guidelines and can be delivered more rapidly or via different routes without the same level of associated risk. Understanding the safe administration practices for each medication is crucial for patient safety in intravenous therapy.