DRUG
CLASSIFICATION
DOSAGE,
MECHANISM OF
& INDICATION
ROUTE,
ACTION
CONTRA-
SIDE EFFECTS
NURSING RESPONSIBILITIES
INDICATION
FREQUENCY Generic
Classification
10
Maintain acid-
Contraindicated
CNS: confusion, 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
cell.Activator in
Addison’s
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
brand name:
1 durule 3x day
Indications PO, IV: kaliumdurul Treatment/preventi e on of potassium depletion. IV: Arrhythmias
Assessment ● Assess for signs and symptoms of
CV:
hypokalemia
ARRHYTHMIAS,
(weakness, fatigue, U
ECG changes.
wave on ECG,
GI: abdominal 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
stenotic lesions.
during IV therapy.
muscle; gastric
yellow dye #5) or
secretion; renal
alcohol; avoid
Local: irritation 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 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,administr ation of sodium bicarbonate to
correct acidosis, dextrose and insulin to facilitate passage 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.
