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Questions and Answers
What is a potential side effect of administering potassium supplements too rapidly?
What is a potential side effect of administering potassium supplements too rapidly?
- Cardiac arrest (correct)
- Nausea
- Weight gain
- Increased urine output
Which diuretic class is associated with potentially causing hyperkalemia?
Which diuretic class is associated with potentially causing hyperkalemia?
- Loop diuretics
- Potassium-sparing diuretics (correct)
- Thiazides
- Osmotic diuretics
What is a general nursing consideration when administering thiazide diuretics?
What is a general nursing consideration when administering thiazide diuretics?
- Monitor for hyponatremia only
- Avoid electrolyte monitoring
- Limit fluid intake
- Increase potassium intake (correct)
Which magnesium supplement is specifically indicated to maintain magnesium levels?
Which magnesium supplement is specifically indicated to maintain magnesium levels?
What should be monitored to prevent overdose of magnesium supplements?
What should be monitored to prevent overdose of magnesium supplements?
What is the maximal infusion rate for intravenous potassium chloride?
What is the maximal infusion rate for intravenous potassium chloride?
Which patient condition requires caution when administering magnesium supplements?
Which patient condition requires caution when administering magnesium supplements?
Which symptom indicates potential hyperkalemia that should be monitored when administering potassium supplements?
Which symptom indicates potential hyperkalemia that should be monitored when administering potassium supplements?
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Study Notes
Diuretics
- Diuretics are drugs that increase water and sodium excretion.
- Thiazides, loop diuretics, and potassium sparing diuretics are types of diuretics used to treat edema in various conditions such as congestive heart failure, hepatic or renal disease, and hypertension.
- Monitor electrolytes, especially potassium levels, when patients are taking diuretics. Encourage potassium-rich foods for patients taking thiazides and loop diuretics.
- Warn patients to contact their physician for signs of adverse side effects such as irregular heartbeat, skin rashes, unusual bruising, ringing in the ears, hearing loss, and jaundice.
- For patients taking potassium-sparing diuretics, monitor for hyperkalemia and counsel them to avoid potassium-rich foods and salt substitutes.
Electrolytes
- Concentrated IV electrolyte solutions are designated as High Alert Medications and require careful attention.
Potassium Supplements
- Potassium chloride (KCl) is a common potassium supplement available in oral and intravenous forms.
- Oral potassium supplements include K-Dur and Slow K (extended release) and should not be crushed.
- Potassium supplements are indicated to restore or maintain normal potassium levels.
- Administer potassium chloride intravenously by infusion only, never IV push. The maximum infusion rate is 20 mEq/hour. Rapid infusion can cause cardiac arrest.
- Monitor for hyperkalemia signs: cardiac arrhythmias, heart block, ECG changes.
- Monitor urine output, as decreased renal function (decreased urine output) can lead to increased potassium levels.
Magnesium Supplements
- Magnesium gluconate and magnesium sulfate are common magnesium supplements.
- Magnesium supplements are used to restore or maintain normal magnesium levels.
- Use caution when administering magnesium intravenously in patients with renal disease.
- Excessive oral doses can cause diarrhea and gastrointestinal irritation.
- Geriatric patients require reduced doses due to potential renal dysfunction.
- Monitor serum magnesium levels and clinical status to avoid overdose.
- Monitor IV sites for extravasation.
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