In what order should the nurse administer the first dose of potassium chloride IV to ensure patient safety?

Administering potassium chloride intravenously requires careful consideration to ensure patient safety. The correct choice reflects the critical practice of infusing potassium chloride slowly. This is vital because a rapid infusion can lead to serious complications, including cardiac arrest, due to the potential for hyperkalemia or an imbalance in the heart's electrical signals.

Infusing potassium chloride slowly over the designated time allows the body to better manage the increased potassium levels and reduces the risk of adverse effects.

While other choices, such as using a large bore IV line, checking potassium levels prior to the infusion, and ensuring proper dilution in saline, are important safety measures in the administration process, the foremost priority is the rate of infusion. This practice directly addresses the immediate risk of complications associated with potassium administration.