DRUG CLASSIFICATION DOSAGE, MECHANISM OF CONTRA- SIDE EFFECTS NURSING

& INDICATION ROUTE, ACTION RESPONSIBILITIES

INDICATION
FREQUENCY

Generic Classification 10 Maintain acid- Contraindicated CNS: confusion, Assessment

name: Therapeutic: meqs/durule base balance, in: restlessness,

● Assess for signs
mineral and 1 durule 3x isotonicity, and Hyperkalemia; weakness.
potassium and symptoms of
electrolyte day elec- Severe renal
chloride CV: hypokalemia
replacements/supp trophysiologic impairment;
ARRHYTHMIAS, (weakness, fatigue, U
lements balance of the Untreated
ECG changes. wave on ECG,
brand cell.Activator in Addison’s
GI: abdominal arrhythmias,
name: many enzymatic disease; Severe
pain, diarrhea, polyuria, polydipsia)
Indications PO, IV:
kaliumdurul reactions; tissue trauma;
flatulence, and hyperkalemia
Treatment/preventi
e essential to Hyperkalemic
nausea, (see Toxicity and
on of potassium
transmis- sion of familial periodic
vomiting; Overdose).
depletion.
nerve impulses; pa- ralysis; Some
tablets, capsules
● Monitor pulse,
IV: Arrhythmias contraction of products may
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

● Lab Test
function; tissue using in patients at IV site.
Considerations:
synthesis; and with known Neuro:
Monitor serum
carbohydrate hypersensitivity paralysis,
potassium before and
metabolism. or intoler- ance; paresthesia.
periodically during
Therapeutic Potassium
therapy. Monitor
Effects: acetate injection
renal function, serum
Replacement. contains alumi-
bicarbonate, and
Prevention of num, which may
pH.Determine serum
deficiency. become toxic
magnesium level if
with prolonged
patient has refractory
use to high risk
hypokalemia;
groups (renal
hypomagnesemia
impairment, pre- should be corrected

mature to facilitate

neonates). effectiveness of

potassium

replacement. Moni-

tor 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; de-

pressed 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.