Category:

• Electrolyte and water

Description:

• Electrolyte replenisher

Indications:

• Treatment of potassium deficiency when oral replacement is not feasible

Contraindications:

• Diseases where high potassium levels may be encountered

• Hyperkalemia, renal failure, potassium retention conditions

Precautions:

• Pregnancy category C

• Periodic laboratory are necessary to monitor fluid, electrolyte and acid-base balances

• Guide therapy via electrocardiograms, especially in digitalis patients

• Serum potassium levels not necessarily indicative of tissue potassium levels

Adverse Reactions (Side Effects):

• Fever, infection at injection site, venous thrombosis

• Extravasation, phlebitis, hypervolemia, hyperkalemia

• Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain

Dosage:

Administered intravenously ONLY

Potassium Chloride for Injection Concentrate must be diluted before administration.

Care must be taken to ensure there is complete mixing of the potassium chloride with the large volume fluid, particularly if soft or bag type containers are used.

• If serum potassium level > 2.5 mEq/L, administer at a rate not to exceed 10 mEq/hour in a concentration up to 40 mEq/L.  Max dose 200 mEq/day.

• If serum potassium level < 2.0 mEq/L (urgent) with electrocardiograph changes and/or muscle paralysis, potassium chloride may be administered at a rate up to 40 mEq/hour. Continuous cardiac monitoring is essential.  Max dose 400 mEq/day.

Signs and Symptoms of Potassium Intoxication:

Intoxication may include 

• paresthesias of the extremities

• areflexia, muscular or respiratory paralysis

• mental confusion

• weakness

• hypotension

• cardiac arrhythmias

• heart block

• electrocardiographic abnormalities

• cardiac arrest.

Bureau of Medicine and Surgery
Department of the Navy
2300 E Street NW
Washington, D.C
20372-5300

Operational Medicine
 Health Care in Military Settings
CAPT Michael John Hughey, MC, USNR
NAVMED P-5139
  January 1, 2001