Questions and Answers
What is the therapeutic class of Potassium Chloride?
What is the pharmacologic class of Potassium Chloride?
What are some actions and uses of Potassium Chloride?
Potassium chloride is used for preventing or treating hypokalemia and mild forms of alkalosis.
Potassium Chloride can be crushed before administration.
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What are common adverse effects of Potassium Chloride?
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Potassium Chloride is contraindicated in patients with hyperkalemia.
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What interactions should be considered when prescribing Potassium Chloride?
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How does Potassium Chloride affect lab tests?
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What is a treatment method for suspected overdose of Potassium Chloride?
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Study Notes
Potassium Chloride (KCl) Overview
- Therapeutic class: drug for hypokalemia; treats low potassium levels in the body.
- Pharmacologic class: classified as an electrolyte and potassium supplement.
Actions and Uses
- Preferred for preventing or treating hypokalemia; also used for mild alkalosis.
- Available in various forms: tablets, powders, and flavored liquids.
- Should be diluted with water to prevent gastrointestinal irritation; risk of peptic ulcers.
- IV administration must be slow; bolus injections can cause cardiac arrest.
- Commonly prescribed with loop or thiazide diuretics to prevent potassium depletion.
Administration Alerts
- Administer oral forms while patient is upright to avoid esophagitis.
- Do not crush or chew tablets; dilute liquid forms before oral or nasogastric administration.
- IV potassium should not exceed 10 mEq/h; care needed to prevent extravasation.
- Classified as pregnancy category A.
Adverse Effects
- Common side effects include nausea and vomiting due to GI irritation.
- Can be taken with meals or antacids to reduce gastric distress.
- IV use may result in phlebitis and venous irritation; use larger vessels to minimize risks.
- Serious risks include hyperkalemia, especially if taken with potassium-sparing diuretics.
- Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can exacerbate hyperkalemia risk, as kidneys excrete over 90% of potassium.
Contraindications
- Contraindicated in cases of hyperkalemia, CKD, systemic acidosis, severe dehydration, extensive tissue breakdown, adrenal insufficiency, and use of potassium-sparing diuretics.
Drug-Drug Interactions
- Interactions increase hyperkalemia risk when taken with potassium-sparing diuretics and angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors.
Lab Tests
- Increases serum potassium levels; monitor levels to prevent complications.
Treatment of Overdose
- Withhold potassium-sparing diuretics and potassium-rich foods/medications.
- Administer IV dextrose solution with regular insulin to lower potassium levels.
- Sodium bicarbonate may be given to correct acidosis.
- Use polystyrene sulfonate or patiromer to enhance potassium elimination.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Potassium Chloride with these flashcards. Each card covers important aspects like therapeutic class, pharmacologic class, and actions and uses of KCl. Perfect for students studying pharmacology or related medical fields.
