Must always be diluted before infusion.
- Potassium chloride, IV, diluted in 1 L sodium chloride 0.9%.
- Rapid infusion of potassium chloride can cause fatal dysrhythmias.
- Infusion rates > 20 mmol/hour are very irritable to peripheral veins.
- Potassium chloride 15% for intravenous use contains 20 mmol K+ per 10 mL ampoule.
- Potassium chloride infusion – see diabetes section for the administration of potassium infusion in DKA (Section 8.6.2: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS)).
- Non DKA; Dilute potassium chloride in a non-glucose containing solution (e.g. 0.9% sodium chloride) to a concentration not exceeding 40 mmol/L. Maximum rate of infusion should not exceed 20 mmol/ hour.
- As large volumes of solution may need to be given, monitor the patient for fluid overload.
- For preparation of the infusion, the contents of an ampoule of potassium chloride should be well mixed in 0.9% sodium chloride.
An example prescription might be: ‘dilute two 10 ml ampoules of 20 mmol KCl in 1 litre of 0.9% sodium chloride, and mix thoroughly. Infuse at a rate of 125 ml/hour, and repeat 8 hourly (i.e. give three litres of the solution containing 40 mmol KCl per litre as a constant infusion over a 24 hour period)’.