How do you make potassium tolerable?

[EMSnut45, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

It seems that lately our orders for potassium repleation have been more PO and less IV. Almost every patient that I have attempted to give PO potassium has either spit it back out on me or refused. K Dur is just too big, and K Elixir is just NASTY. Are there any tricks to making PO potassium tolerable?

[eyeball]

I always break K-dur in half. I save it for last and offer applesauce if anyone has difficulty swallowing. Yes, it's a pain.

[EMSnut45, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

I always break K-dur in half. I save it for last and offer applesauce if anyone has difficulty swallowing. Yes, it's a pain.

But I thought that K Dur is slow-release and cannot be cut in half (even though it is scored).

[SolaireSolstice, BSN, RN]

You can cut it in half. You can also "melt" it down in pudding. I always break it in half too, usually by accident. That pill is soft.

[MunoRN, RN]

I've had an MD order potassium replacement by inch of banana for a patient who refused the pills and liquid. Apparently there is 1meq of potassium per inch of banana.

[Do-over, ASN, RN]

My understanding is that you can dissolve it, not crush it. I sometimes melt it in a small amount of water and then mix in applesauce.

[EMSnut45, BSN, RN, EMT-P]

Awesome! I knew you all would have the answers!! Thanks a bunch!!

MunoRN-- Interesting order! It reminds me of when I used to work in an ER where the doctor would order lemon wedges for patients with infected salivary glands. Dietary thought we were nuts! But it worked!

[ErinS, BSN, RN]

Ask for the wax matrix tablets. They are smaller and easier on the stomach. It is just a different version and there is not a big price difference.

[NaKcl, BSN, RN]

I've had an MD order potassium replacement by inch of banana for a patient who refused the pills and liquid. Apparently there is 1meq of potassium per inch of banana.

lemon wedges for patients with infected salivary glands.

very interesting findings...

[LongislandRN23]

For liquid put it in a juice box.

[TonyaM73, ASN, RN]

Juice is the trick I usually use. I take 1/2 a cup of whatever juice they like and mix it with the K, then I have the other 1/2 and another juice cup to chase it down. I always tell them that it is nasty and just swig it down as quickly as possible.

[rnlately]

Dissolve pill form in water or applesauce.