potassium (redirected from Element 19)

potassium /po·tas·si·um/ (K) (pah-tas´e-um) chemical element, at. no. 19. Potassium is the chief cation of intracellular fluid, and many of its salts are used as electrolyte replenishers and antihypokalemics, including p. acetate, p. bicarbonate, p. chloride, and p. gluconate. For potassium salts not listed here, see under the active ingredient.

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potassium bitartrate  a compound administered rectally with sodium bicarbonate to produce carbon dioxide; used for relief of constipation, evacuation of the colon before surgical or diagnostic procedures, and pre- and postpartum bowel emptying.

potassium chloride  an electrolyte replenisher, KCl.

potassium citrate  a systemic and urinary alkalizer, electrolyte replenisher, and diuretic.

dibasic potassium phosphate  the dipotassium salt, K2HPO4; used alone or in combination with other phosphate compounds as an electrolyte replenisher.

potassium hydroxide  an alkalizer used in pharmaceutical preparations.

potassium iodide  a thyroid inhibitor used in the treatment of hyperthyroidism, as a radiation protectant to the thyroid, as an iodine replenisher, and as an antifungal.

monobasic potassium phosphate  the monopotassium salt, KH2PO4; used as a buffering agent in pharmaceutical preparations and, alone or in combination with other phosphate compounds, as an electrolyte replenisher, urinary acidifier, and antiurolithic.

potassium permanganate  the potassium salt of permanganic acid, used as a topical anti-infective, oxidizing agent, and as an antidote for certain poisons.

potassium phosphate  a compound combining potassium and phosphoric acid, usually dibasic potassium phosphate.

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po·tas·si·um (p-ts-m)

n. Symbol K

A soft, highly or explosively reactive metallic element that occurs in nature only in compounds and is found in or converted to a wide variety of salts used especially in fertilizers and soaps. Its radioisotopes are used in various diagnostic studies, including myocardial scans, detection and localization of tumors, determination of intracellular fluid space, and determination of renal blood flow. Atomic number 19. Also called kalium.

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po·tassic adj.

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Potassium

A mineral found in whole grains, meat, legumes, and some fruits and vegetables. Potassium is important for many body processes, including proper functioning of the nerves and muscles.

Mentioned in: Diuretics, Hypokalemia

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potassium (K)

[pətas′ē·əm]

Etymology: D, potasschen, potash

an alkali metal element, the seventh most abundant element in the earth's crust. Its atomic number is 19, and its atomic mass is 39.10. Potassium salts are necessary to the life of all plants and animals. Potassium in the body constitutes the predominant intracellular cation, helping to regulate neuromuscular excitability and muscle contraction. Sources of potassium in the diet are whole grains, meat, legumes, fruit, and vegetables. The average adequate daily intake for most adults is 2 to 4 g. Normal adult levels of blood potassium are 3.5 to 5 mEq/L or 3.5 to 5 mmol/L (SI units). Potassium is important in glycogen formation, protein synthesis, and correction of imbalances of acid-base metabolism, especially in association with the action of sodium and hydrogen ions. Potassium salts are very important as therapeutic agents but are extremely dangerous if used improperly. The kidneys play an important role in controlling the secretion and absorption. Aldosterone stimulates sodium reabsorption and potassium secretion by the kidneys. The major extrarenal adaptation to this process involves the absorption of potassium by the body tissues, especially the tissues of the muscles and the liver. Potassium is most commonly depleted in the body by an increased rate of excretion by the kidneys or the GI tract. Increased renal excretion may be caused by diuretic therapy, large doses of anionic drugs, or renal disorders. Increased GI excretion of potassium may occur with the loss of GI fluid through vomiting, diarrhea, surgical drainage, or chronic use of laxatives. Potassium loss through the skin is rare but can result from perspiring during excessive exercise in a hot environment.

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potassium,

n an element/mineral that acts as an electrolyte and functions in nerve signal transmission, muscle contraction, blood pressure regulation, and maintenance of pH balance. Side effects of potassium deficiency include cardiac arrhythmia, diarrhea, moodiness, nausea, and weakness. Dietary sources include animal products, beans, lentils, peas, squash, watermelons, raisins, bananas, and spinach.

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potassium (K) (pōtas´ēm),

n an alkali metal element, the seventh most abundant element in the earth's crust. Its atomic number is 19 and its atomic weight is 39.1. In the body, it constitutes the predominant intracellular cation, helping to regulate neuromuscular excitability and muscle contraction. The average adequate daily intake of potassium for most adults is 2 to 4 g.

potassium bicarbonate/potassium acetate/potassium chloride/potassium gluconate/potassium phosphate,

n brand name: Effer-K, K-Lyte, Kapon-CL, K-Dur, Micro-K, K-G Elixir;
drug class: potassium electrolyte;
action: needed for adequate transmission of nerve impulses and cardiac contraction, renal function, intracellular ion maintenance;
uses: prevention and treatment of hypokalemia.

potassium chloride,

n a white crystalline salt used as a substitute for table salt in the diet of persons with cardiovascular disorders.

potassium dichromate

n a compound of potassium used as an external astringent, antiseptic, and caustic.

potassium oxalate

n a dentin desensitizing agent that occludes the openings of the dentinal tubules and blocks the hydrodynamics that initiate the pain response.
Brand name: Protect.

potassium sulfate

n an accelerator used to speed the setting of gypsum products. Hydrocolloid impressions are fixed in a 2% solution of potassium sulfate.

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potassium

a chemical element, atomic number 19, atomic weight 39.102, symbol K. See Table 6. In combination with other minerals, potassium forms alkaline salts that are important in body processes and play an essential role in maintenance of its acid-base and water balance. All body cells, especially muscle tissue, require a high content of potassium. A proper balance between sodium, calcium and potassium in the blood plasma is necessary for proper cardiac function. Alfalfa meal, molasses and soyabean meal are good sources for herbivores.

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potassium acetate, bicarbonate, bitartrate, citrate, gluconate

electrolyte replenishers, weak diuretics and urinary alkalinizers. Some are also used as expectorants.

potassium arsenite

see fowler's solution.

potassium bromide

used in the treatment of seizures in humans and dogs.

potassium carbonate

used commercially as a fertilizer.

potassium channel

see channel.

potassium chloride

a compound used orally or intravenously as an electrolyte replenisher.

potassium cyanide

may be present in industrial effluents. A potent cause of cyanide poisoning.

potassium deficiency

nutritional deficiency of potassium is very rare. In calves can cause poor growth, anemia and diarrhea. Experimental deficiency in piglets causes also incoordination and cardiac insufficiency.

potassium exchange resins

an oral preparation administered to limit the amount of potassium available for absorption; used in the management of hyperkalemia. See also ion-exchange resin; sodium polystyrene sulfonate.

potassium guaiacolsulfonate

an expectorant.

potassium hydroxide (syn. potassium hydrate)

used commercially as a caustic. In veterinary medicine used mostly for clearing skin scrapings in the diagnosis of ectoparasite infestation.

potassium iodate

used as a constituent of salt blocks and mixes to supplement the diet with iodine. Overdosing will cause iodism.

potassium iodide

an expectorant and antithyroid agent.

potassium nitrate

used commercially as a fertilizer and a meat preservative. Can cause nitrate poisoning or nitrite poisoning in ruminants.

potassium nitrite

a compound sometimes used in place of potassium nitrate. Overdosing causes methemoglobin formation and severe, sometimes fatal hypoxia.

potassium nutritional deficiency

causes poor growth, anemia and diarrhea in pigs and calves. Electrocardiographic changes are also recorded. See also hypokalemia.

potassium oxalate

causes oxalate poisoning.

potassium permanganate

a topical anti-infective, oxidizing agent, and antidote for many poisons. See also permanganate.

potassium phosphate

a cathartic.

potassium pump

see sodium pump.

potassium sodium tartrate

a compound used as a saline cathartic and also in combination with sodium bicarbonate and tartaric acid (Seidlitz powders, a cathartic).

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potassium

K+, Kalium Physiology An alkaline metallic element–atomic number 19; atomic weight 39.09; it is the principal intracellular cation–positive ion and is critical for synthesis of new molecules, transfer of energy, muscle contraction, neural transmission, and maintaining BP; K+ in the circulation has a narrow range; it is ↓ in crash dieting, Cushing syndrome, DKA, dehydration, hyperaldosteronism, licorice–due to aldosterone-like effects of glycerrhizic acid, malnutrition, metabolic acidosis, nasogastic suctioning, starvation, stress–burns, surgery, trauma, vomiting, and drugs–eg, aspirin, corticosteroids, potassium-wasting diuretics, estrogen, insulin, laxatives, lithium, sodium polystyrene sulfonate–Kaylexate; it is ↑ with anuria or oliguria, tissue injury/necrosis, burns, potassium in IV solutions, metabolic acidosis, renal insufficiency or failure, and therapy with K+-sparing diuretics–eg, spironolactone, antibiotics–eg, cephalosporins, isoniazid, penicillin, epinephrine, histamine Potassium-rich foods Bananas, cereals, legumes, potatoes, prunes, raisins