My mother-in-law, who weighs 285 lbs., recently had a cardiac
catheterization.  While she was in the day surgery suite, a nurse came
in to the room and told us her potassium level was 2  and she would
have to have supplemental potassium in
the form of IVs and tablets before the procedure could be done.  Two
IVs were given with 9NS w/ 20 mEQs at 150 cc/hr each, plus another 20
mEQ in tablet form.

My questions are: Based on the above IV rate plus the oral tablets,
how many mEQs of potassium choride is required to raise serum
potassium 1 mEQ? Does it require more KCl to raise it from 2 to 3 then
from 3 to 4?  How does potassium carbonate compare with potassium
choride in it's ability to raise the level?

Thanks for your replies.

Jerelyn