This document provides information about potassium chloride, including its classification, dose, route of administration, time/frequency, pharmacokinetics, indications, nursing implications, interactions, lab alterations, and teaching points for patients. Key details include potassium chloride being used to maintain acid-base balance and electrolyte levels. Nurses should monitor for signs of hyperkalemia or hypokalemia and educate patients about proper administration and reporting side effects.
This document provides information about potassium chloride, including its classification, dose, route of administration, time/frequency, pharmacokinetics, indications, nursing implications, interactions, lab alterations, and teaching points for patients. Key details include potassium chloride being used to maintain acid-base balance and electrolyte levels. Nurses should monitor for signs of hyperkalemia or hypokalemia and educate patients about proper administration and reporting side effects.
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This document provides information about potassium chloride, including its classification, dose, route of administration, time/frequency, pharmacokinetics, indications, nursing implications, interactions, lab alterations, and teaching points for patients. Key details include potassium chloride being used to maintain acid-base balance and electrolyte levels. Nurses should monitor for signs of hyperkalemia or hypokalemia and educate patients about proper administration and reporting side effects.
Copyright:
Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
NURS 1566 Clinical Form 3: Clinical Medications Worksheets
(You will need to make additional copies of these forms)
Generic Name Trade Name Classification Dose Route Time/frequency
Potassium Micro-K mineral and 40 mEq PO daily chloride electrolyte replacements/ supplements Peak Onset Duration Normal dosage range 1-2 hrs unknown unknown 40-80 mEq/day Why is your patient getting this medication For IV meds, compatibility with IV drips and/or Prevention of potassium depletion; replacement. solutions N/A
Mechanism of action and indications Nursing Implications (what to focus on)
(Why med ordered) Contraindications/warnings/interactions Maintain acid-base balance, isotonicity, and Contraindicated in: hyperkalemia, severe renal impairment, electrophysiologic balance of the cell. Activator in untreated Addison's disease, severe tissue trauma, many enzymatic reactions; essential to transmission hyperkalemic familial periodic paralysis. Some products of nerve impulses; contraction of cardiac, skeletal, may contain tartrazine (FDC yellow dye #5) or alcohol; and smooth muscle; gastric secretion; renal function; avoid using in patients with known hypersensitivity or tissue synthesis; and carbohydrate metabolism. intolerance. Potassium acetate injection contains aluminum, which may become toxic with prolonged use to high risk groups (renal impairment, premature neonates). Use cautiously in: cardiac disease, renal impairment, Diabetes mellitus (liquids may contain sugar), hypomagnesemia (may make correction of hypokalemia more difficult), GI hypomotility including dysphagia or esophageal compression from left atrial enlargement (tablets, capsules). Patients receiving potassium-sparing drugs. Common side effects Abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, ARRHYTHMIAS Interactions with other patient drugs, OTC or Lab value alterations caused by medicine herbal medicines (ask patient specifically) Monitor serum potassium before and periodically during Use with Avapro (angiotensin II receptor antagonist) therapy. Monitor renal function, serum bicarbonate, and may lead to hyperkalemia. pH. Determine serum magnesium level if patient has refractory hypokalemia; hypomagnesemia should be corrected to facilitate effectiveness of potassium replacement. Monitor serum chloride because hypochloremia may occur if replacing potassium without concurrent chloride Be sure to teach the patient the following about this medication Explain to patient purpose of the medication and the need to take as directed, especially when concurrent digoxin or diuretics are taken. A missed dose should be taken as soon as remembered within 2 hr; if not, return to regular dose schedule. Do not double dose. Emphasize correct method of administration. GI irritation or ulceration may result from chewing enteric-coated tablets or insufficient dilution of liquid or powder forms. Some extended-release tablets are contained in a wax matrix that may be expelled in the stool. This occurrence is not significant. Instruct patient to avoid salt substitutes or low-salt milk or food unless approved by health care professional. Patient should be advised to read all labels to prevent excess potassium intake. Advise patient regarding sources of dietary potassium. Encourage compliance with recommended diet. Instruct patient to report dark, tarry, or bloody stools; weakness; unusual fatigue; or tingling of extremities. Notify health care professional if nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or stomach discomfort persists. Dosage may require adjustment. Emphasize the importance of regular follow-up exams to monitor serum levels and progress. Nursing Process- Assessment Assessment Evaluation (Pre-administration assessment) Why would you hold or not give this Check after giving Assess for signs and symptoms of med? Prevention and correction of hypokalemia (weakness, fatigue, U wave Symptoms of toxicity are those of serum potassium depletion on ECG, arrhythmias, polyuria, hyperkalemia (slow, irregular polydipsia) and hyperkalemia. heartbeat; fatigue; muscle weakness; paresthesia; confusion; dyspnea; peaked T waves; depressed ST segments; prolonged QT segments; widened QRS complexes; loss of P waves; and cardiac arrhythmias)