Potassium in Dialysate

diabo, RN · Mar 8, 2010

You are looking for mEq/Liter. Most standard baths are 2 mEq/Liter (2K). Packets from Edlaw Pharmaceuticals can be used to add to gallon jugs. Each packet will raise the potassium 1mEq/L. So each packet added to a gallon of acid concentrate will raise the potassium 1mEq/L. One packet will raise 2K to 3K, 2 packets will raise 2K to 4K.

Steven:twocents:

ram_8582 · Mar 8, 2010

tnx for d reply...i figured it was 2 mEq/L...coz i remember reading in 1 book bout the potassium content of the bath to be 2mEq..however, we have this pre-mix bath and it says in the label 5.something grams of potassium..so that knda misled my coworkers into thinkin that our bath had that much potassium...or does it? add to the confusion are the orders made by doctors to add 10 or 20 grams of potassium..we have potassium chloride powder that we mix with saline then add it to the concentrate...are we doing it right? we cant find literatures regarding this..so we're wandering in the dark...

also i read from the handbook of dialysis that 1 gram of potassium is 26 mEqs..so if the doctor ordrs 10 grams, den dat wud make it 260 mEq...how much is the limit?

if ever the doctor does order to add additional potassium, how do you go about adding the potassium?

tnx so much

diabo, RN · Mar 9, 2010

The 5 something is referring to the total amount in the jug. Somewhere on the label there should be s mEq/L amount, which is probably 2.

Mix the potassium directly into the acid jug. DON'T mix it with saline. Shake well and label.

The doctor should be able to tell you what in terms of mEq/liter. That's what the directions on the package probably say.

If you are not ABSOLUTELY sure about this, then don't do it until you are. Potassium, either too much or too little can kill. Measurements must be exact. If the doctor insists, then let him help you and take the responsibility for any mistakes.

ram_8582 · Mar 9, 2010

tnx much...by d way, wer do u work and for how long already? i want to re-echo to my colleages ur practices there with regards to adding potassium..somehow, being a new dialysis nurse can work to my disadvantage as my credibility as a dialysis nurse isnt dat well built yet..so maybe sharing this new info might ruffle some "senior" feathers in my workplace..but im hoping we can change wrong practices in our unit...hehe

tnx alot..

Tish88 · Mar 14, 2010

Doesn't your dialysis unit have a policy and procedure for you to follow to carry out this MD order?

The P&P should tell you exactly how many K+ packets to use and how to add it to the acid bath.

Can you tell me why you would mix the K+ packet to normal saline solution? :confused:

ram_8582 · Mar 26, 2010

another question...

hehe

do u use ultrafiltration profiling in ur unit? this is a common practice in ours..have been doin some research bout this but couldnt find an extensive article discussing about the indication, contraindication and effects of ultrafiltration profiling..the practice in our unit is if the patient is hypertensive at the start of the dialysis and edematous, we usually employ the ultrafiltration profiles of our machines...are we right to be doin this?

anurseadvocate · Mar 28, 2010

Hi everyone.,
im working at a local dialysis center here in the philippines..and the question that almost always bothers me is when doctors order additional potassium in the bath...i HONESTLY dont know how to carry out this order as i do not know how much exactly is the postassium content of the bath..ive read somewhere its 5.2 grams per liter..can someone tell me if this is right? if it is, can you teach me how exactly do we carry out orders such as this..
tnx,,.

I don't know the answer to this question, but I would suggest that you communicate with your facility manager and get appropriate training in this area because, as you are aware, K+ has alot to do with cardiac functioning and you would not want to make a mistake. I am sure that your unit has a policy and procedure for this as there must be a policy/procedure for all that happens in the unit. Also, you should have thorough training in this area if you are carrying out physician's orders of such. NO question is not appropriate to ask in a dialysis unit as patient's lives are at stake. Again, please check with your unit administrator or facility educator.....