from what I remember as a first year student when we were taught (after a little taste of oral liquid potassium) that potassium in this liquid form should be mixed with juice because it is bitter
why would staff administer to a patient, this ounce of potassium, undiluted?
I asked the staff who was administering if it should be mixed with juice and the staff said no, and gave it undiluted?
The patient grimaced and said that it's bitter
sources that I've read while searching for how to administer oral liquid potassium all have said to mix it with water or juice.
For patients taking the liquid form of this medicine:
This medicine must be diluted in at least one-half glass (4 ounces) of cold water or juice to reduce its possible stomach-irritating or laxative effect.
If you are on a salt (sodium)-restricted diet, check with your doctor before using tomato juice to dilute your medicine. Tomato juice has a high salt content.
mixing liquid kcl in oj is contraindicated in renal patients. whats your patients medical history? anything there that may indicate esrd or renal insufficancy? i know, i know... if the oj has potassium in it and potassium is ordered, then why is it still contraindicated? the oj can actually increase the prescribed dose of kcl.
VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN
49 Articles; 5,349 Posts
I agree. This is recommended by the manufacturer. Straight and undiluted may result in damage to mucosa of mouth, esophagus, or stomach.