Why would kcl be added to a surgical patients iv?

To replace Potassium: A low concentration of potassium (k) chloride (cl) - or "kcl" - is typically used in IV fluid to make its composition similar to blood. This also helps prevent potassium levels from dropping if a patient is not eating or drinking. If a patient has lost a lot of potassium, as may occur with severe vomiting or diuretics, a higher concentration of kcl may be used in the iv.