What do you monitor with potassium infusion?
Electrocardiographic (ECG) monitoring is mandatory for patients receiving intravenous infusions of KCl. Arrhythmias, heart block and cardiac arrest may be precipitated by rapid infusions of KCl.
How do you administer KCl?
Forms and strengths, route of administration Potassium chloride must always be administered by slow IV infusion, diluted in 0.9% sodium chloride. – For dilution: The potassium concentration in the infusion fluid should not exceed 40 mmol/litre.
What precautions must be taken when infusing IV potassium chloride?
Always dilute KCl, never give a bolus or IV push. Your organization’s policy may limit the concentration on KCl in IV fluids to 60 mEq – 80 mEq per liter. Always use an infusion pump. Do NOT inject KCl into a container on IV pole.
What should you assess before giving potassium chloride?
To be sure potassium chloride is helping your condition, your blood may need to be tested often. Your heart rate may also be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG) to measure electrical activity of the heart. This test will help your doctor determine how long to treat you with potassium.
What happens if you give IV potassium too fast?
The risks associated with intravenous potassium chloride are well known. If it is injected too rapidly or in too high a dose, it may cause cardiac arrest within minutes. The effect of hyperkalaemia on the heart is complex – virtually any arrhythmia may be observed.
Is potassium better absorbed PO or IV?
Intravenous potassium increased the serum potassium levels a little more than oral potassium (0.14 per 10 mEq versus 0.12 per 10 mEq administered, respectively). Therefore, oral potassium replacement, in patients with normal GI function, can rival the effects of intravenous replacement.
What is the maximum recommended infusion rate for KCl?
In general, the rate of administration may be dependent on patient condition and specific institution policy. Some clinicians recommend that the maximum concentration for peripheral infusion is 10 mEq per 100 mL (Mount 2020). The maximum rate of administration for peripheral infusion is 10 mEq/hour (Kraft 2005).
What is the maximum recommended infusion rate for KCL?
Why can you not give potassium IV push?
Never administer potassium by I.V. push or bolus, which can trigger cardiac dysrhythmias and cardiac arrest. Use commercially prepared or premixed potassium solutions or have the pharmacy prepare the infusion. Potassium concentrates for injection must be diluted with a compatible I.V.
Why do they give potassium through IV?
Potassium phosphate injection is a phosphate replacement that is used to treat or prevent hypophosphatemia (low phosphorus in the blood). It is also used as an additive in the preparation of fluid formula injections. This medicine is given to patients who cannot receive a phosphate supplement by mouth.
Can you give IV magnesium and potassium together?
Magnesium administration, concomitant with potassium, assists tissue replenishment of potassium. Therefore, we hypothesized that combinations of these cations would lower blood pressure.
What is the maximum rate of potassium infusion?
Infusion rate of IV potassium Ensure the maximum rate of IV potassium infusion on a general ward is 10mmol/hour Transfer the patient to Acute Care for more regular observations and cardiac monitoring if infusion rates faster than 10mmol/hour are required.
How much potassium should I infuse with KCL?
If central line present and continuous cardiac monitoring, infuse at 20 mEq/hr (max = 40 mEq/hr); If peripheral access only, infuse at 10 mEq/hr. Serum potassium may be expected to increase by ~0.25 mEq/L for each 20 mEq IV KCl infused.
What kind of pump do I need for potassium infusion?
IV Potassium Administration. All bolus doses of KCl should be administered via a syringe pump. If volume is greater than 60 cc, infusion should be via a 570 IVAC pump. After KCl dose is properly diluted, pruse fluid through tubing so infusion can begin immediately. Tubing should be properly labeled during infusion.
How is potassium maintained in an intravenous solution?
Maintenance intravenous solutions are designed to maintain a normal range of serum potassium. Intermittent dose infusions (bolus) of potassium (KCl) are ordered in hypokalemic states where the serum potassium is less than 3.5 mEq/L.