What is the primary concern in administering potassium supplements?

The primary concern in administering potassium supplements is the risk of hyperkalemia, which is an elevated level of potassium in the blood. Potassium is an essential electrolyte that plays a key role in many physiological functions, including nerve transmission and muscle contraction, especially in the heart. However, excessive potassium can lead to serious complications, including cardiac rhythm disturbances, muscle weakness, and in severe cases, cardiac arrest.

Patients with certain conditions—such as renal impairment, adrenal insufficiency, or those taking specific medications that affect potassium levels—are at an increased risk for hyperkalemia. Careful monitoring of potassium levels is therefore critical, particularly when administering supplements, to ensure that they do not exceed the body's capacity to handle them safely.

While thrombosis, dehydration, and hypertension are important health concerns, they are not the primary issues associated with potassium supplementation. Thrombosis relates to blood clotting, dehydration pertains to fluid balance, and hypertension involves blood pressure regulation. None of these directly connects to the effects of excessive potassium levels like hyperkalemia does.