Drug Potassium Chloride Kcl

NURS 1556 Clinical Medications Worksheets Generic Name Potassium Chloride

Trade Name Micro-K

Classification Mineral and electrolyte supplement

Dose

Route

Time/frequency

20 mEq

PO

Every Day

Peak

Onset

Duration

For IV meds, compatibility with IV drips and /or solutions

One to two hours

Unknown

Unknown

N/A

(Why med ordered) Ordered: for replacement of K+ related to lasix usage

Mechanism of action and indications

Nursing Implications (what to focus on) Contraindications/warnings/interactions Hyperkalemia, known hypersensitivity, cardiac disease.

Common side effects

Treatment/prevention or potassium depletion. Maintain acid-base balance, isotonicity, and electrophysiologic balance of the cell. Activator in many enzymatic reactions; essential in nerve impulses, contraction in cardiac, skeletal and smooth muscle; gastric secretion; renal function; tissue synthesis; and carbohydrate metabolism.

Abdominal pain, diarrhea, flatulence, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, weakness, arrhythmias, GI ulceration, stenotic lesions

Interactions with other patient drugs, OTC or herbal medicines (ask patient specifically)

Lab value alterations caused by medicine

Use with potassium-sparing diuretics or ACE inhibitors or angiotensin 2 receptor antagonists may lead to hyperkalemia.

Monitor serum potassium before and periodically during therapy. Monitor renal function, serum bicarbonate, and pH. Normal potassium level = 3.5 to 5 mEq. According to lab values on 3/20/09 Potassium level was within normal limits.

Be sure to teach the patient the following about this medication Caution Pt that this drug should be taken with a meal or a full glass of water. Teach her the purpose of supplement and need to take as directed, avoid salt substitutes or low-salt milk or food unless approved by health care professionals, encourage compliance with recommended diet, report dark, tarry stool, emphasize importance of regular follow-up exams.

Nursing Process- Assessment (Pre-administration assessment) Assess for signs and symptoms of hypokalemia or hyperkalemia. Weakness, fatigue, U wave on ECG every couple weeks, arrhythmias, polyuria, polydipsia.

Assessment Why would you hold or not give this med?

Evaluation Check after giving

Serum potassium level greater than 5.5 mEq/L

Cessation of arrhythmias Prevention or correction of serum potassium depletion.