Drug Study (potassium Chloride) wg3i

DRUG

CLASSIFICATION

DOSAGE,

MECHANISM OF

& INDICATION

ROUTE,

ACTION

CONTRA-

SIDE EFFECTS

NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES

INDICATION

FREQUENCY Generic

Classification

10

Maintain acid-

Contraindicated

CNS: confusion,

name:

Therapeutic:

meqs/durule

base balance,

in:

restlessness,

isotonicity, and

Hyperkalemia;

weakness.

elec-

Severe renal

replacements/supp

trophysiologic

impairment;

lements

balance of the

Untreated

brand

cell.Activator in

Addison’s

name:

many enzymatic

disease; Severe

reactions;

tissue trauma;

essential to

Hyperkalemic

transmis- sion of

familial periodic

nerve impulses;

pa- ralysis; Some

contraction of

products may

potassium chloride

mineral and electrolyte

Indications PO, IV: kaliumdurul e

Treatment/preventi on of potassium depletion. IV: Arrhythmias

1 durule 3x day

Assessment ● Assess for signs and symptoms of

CV:

hypokalemia

ARRHYTHMIAS,

(weakness, fatigue, U

ECG changes.

wave on ECG,

GI: abdominal

arrhythmias,

pain, diarrhea,

polyuria, polydipsia)

flatulence,

and hyperkalemia

nausea,

(see Toxicity and

vomiting;

Overdose).

tablets, capsules

● Monitor pulse,

due to digoxin

cardiac, skeletal,

contain

only, GI

blood pressure, and

toxicity.

and smooth

tartrazine (FDC

ulceration,

ECG periodically

muscle; gastric

yellow dye #5) or

stenotic lesions.

during IV therapy.

secretion; renal

alcohol; avoid

Local: irritation

function; tissue

using in patients

at IV site.

synthesis; and

with known

Neuro:

carbohydrate

hypersensitivity

paralysis,

metabolism.

or intoler- ance;

paresthesia.

Therapeutic

Potassium

Effects:

acetate injection

Replacement.

contains alumi-

Prevention of

num, which may

deficiency.

become toxic with prolonged use to high risk groups (renal

● Lab Test Considerations: Monitor serum potassium before and periodically during therapy. Monitor renal function, serum bicarbonate, and pH.Determine serum magnesium level if patient has refractory hypokalemia; hypomagnesemia

impairment, pre-

should be corrected

mature

to facilitate

neonates).

effectiveness of potassium replacement. Monitor serum chloride because hypochloremia may occur if replacing potassium without con- current chloride. ● Toxicity and Overdose: Symptoms of toxicity are those of hyperkalemia (slow, irregular

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). ● Treatment includes discontinuation of potassium,istr ation of sodium bicarbonate to

correct acidosis, dextrose and insulin to facilitate age of potassium into cells, calcium salts to reverse ECG effects (in patients who are not receiving digoxin), sodium polystyrene used as an exchange resin, and/or dialysis for patient with impaired renal function.