Name of drug

General Action

Specific Action Principal intracellular cation; essential for maintenance of intracellular isotonicity, transmission of nerve impulses, contraction of cardiac, skeletal, and smooth muscles, maintenance of normal kidney function, and for enzyme activity. Plays a prominent role in both formation and correction of imbalances in acidbase metabolism.

Adverse Effects

Indication

Contraindication Nursing Responsibilities . Severe renal impairment; severe hemolytic reactions; untreated Addisons disease; crush syndrome; early postoperative oliguria (except during GI drainage); adynamic ileus; acute dehydration; heat cramps, hyperkalemia, patients receiving potassiumsparing diuretics, digitalis intoxication with AV conduction disturbance. Monitor I&O ratio and pattern in patients receiving the parenteral drug. If oliguria occurs, stop infusion promptly and notify physician. Lab test: Frequent serum electrolytes are warranted.

GenericName: Kalium durule Brand Name: Potassium Chloride

Classifications : electrolytic and water balance agent; replacement solution

GI:Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal distension.

To prevent and treat potassium deficit BodyWhole:Pain, mental secondary to confusion, irritability, diuretic or listlessness, paresthesias of corticosteroid extremities, muscle therapy. Also weaknessand heaviness of indicated limbs, difficulty in swallowing, flaccid paralysis. when potassium is Urogenital:Oliguria, anuria. depleted by Hematologic:Hyperkalemia. severe vomiting, Respiratory:Respiratory diarrhea; distress. intestinal drainage, CV:Hypotension, fistulas, or bradycardia; cardiac malabsorption; depression, arrhythmias, or prolonged arrest; altered sensitivity to diuresis, digitalis glycosides. ECG diabetic changes in hyperkalemia: Tenting (peaking) of T wave acidosis. (especially in right precordial Effective in the leads), lowering of R with treatment of deepening of S waves and hypokalemic depression of RST; alkalosis prolonged P-R interval, (chloride, not widened QRS complex, the decreased amplitude and gluconate). disappearance of P waves, prolonged Q-T interval,

Monitor for and report signs of GI ulceration (esophageal or epigastric pain or hematemesis).

Monitor patients receiving parenteral potassium closely with

signs of right and left bundle block, deterioration of QRS contour and finally ventricular fibrillation and death.

cardiac monitor. Irregular heartbeat is usually the earliest clinical indication of hyperkalemia.

Be alert for potassium intoxication (hyperkalemia, see S&S, Appendix F); may result from any therapeutic dosage, and the patient may be asymptomatic.

The risk of hyperkalemia with potassium supplement increases (1) in older adults because of decremental changes in

kidney function associated with aging, (2) when dietary intake of potassium suddenly increases, and (3) when kidney function is significantly compromised.