Drug Potassium Chloride

NURS 1556 Clinical Medications Worksheets (You will need to make additional copies of these forms) Generic Name Potassium Chloride

Trade Name Micro-K

Classification Mineral and electrolyte supplement

Peak

Onset

Duration

One to two hours

Unknown

Unknown

Dose

Route

Time/frequency

10 mEq

PO

Every Day

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

Mechanism of action and indications (Why med ordered)

Nursing Implications (what to focus on) Contraindications/warnings/interactions

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.

Hyperkalemia, known hypersensitivity, cardiac disease.

Ordered: for Lasix usage

Interactions with other patient drugs, OTC or herbal medicines (ask patient specifically) Use with potassium-sparing diuretics or ACE inhibitors or angiotensin 2 receptor antagonists my lead to hyperkalemia.

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

Lab value alterations caused by medicine Monitor serum potassium before and periodically during therapy. Monitor renal function, serum bicarbonate, and pH. Normal potassium level= 3.5 to 5 mEq/L

Be sure to teach the patient the following about this medication Should be taken with a meal or a full glass of water. Monitor pulse. Purpose of supplement and need to take as directed, take missed doses as soon as remembered within 2 hours, avoid salt substitutes or low-salt milk 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. Monitor pulse, blood pressure and ECG

Assessment Why would you hold or not give this med? Serum potassium level greater than 5.5 mEq/L

Evaluation Check after giving Cessation of arrhythmias Prevention or correction of serum potassium depletion.