Calcium Chloride

Question 1

CaCl2: class

Answer 1

Electrolyte

Question 2

CaCl2: Action

Answer 2

• Increases myocardial contractility
• Enhances ventricular automaticity
• Reverses cardio-electric changes produced by hyperkalemia
• Shifts potassium back into cell to prevent intravascular hyperkalemia

Question 3

CaCl2: Onset/Duration

Answer 3

Onset: 5-15 minutes

Duration: may persist 4 hours after IV/IO

Question 4

CaCl2: Indications

Answer 4

Hemodialysis Patients
- symptomatic ? HYPERKALEMIA (widened QRS complex complex “or” PEAKED T-WAVES )… if ≥ 72 hours since last dialysis

Trauma
- Crush Injury: compression ≥ 2 hours - give just prior to releasing extremity

Question 5

CaCl2: Dosage/Route

Answer 5

For Hyperkalemia: Adult Only
- 500 mg IV/IO over 30 seconds SO

For Crush Injury: adult only
- 500mg IV/IO over 30 seconds. BHO

Question 6

CaCl2: contraindications

Answer 6

None

Question 7

CaCl2: side effects

Answer 7

• Decreased heart rate (may cause asystole)
• Hypotension
• Syncope
• Nausea / vomiting
• Metallic taste

Question 8

CaCl2: Packaging

Answer 8

1 gram / 10 ml

Question 9

CaCl2: how do we administer?

Answer 9

Over 30 seconds (slow). IV/IO