What does the nurse teach a patient who has been prescribed potassium (K-Dur)?
a. "If you miss a dose, double your next dose to keep your blood level of potassium normal."
b. "Take your potassium with food or a full glass or water to avoid nausea and vo-miting."
c. "Be sure to use salt substitutes instead of salt so that your body will not retain water."
d. "Eat lots of foods that are high in potassium such as bananas, spinach, broccoli, and sweet potatoes."
B
Common side effects of potassium include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, gas, and abdominal dis-comfort. Taking the drug with food or right after meals with a full glass of water or fruit juice will decrease or prevent these side effects. A patient should never take a double dose of a pre-scribed drug. Most salt substitutes are made by replacing sodium with potassium. Use of salt substitutes or eating excessive amounts of foods that are high in potassium while taking a potas-sium supplement increases the risk of hyperkalemia (high blood potassium).
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