1.
Administering Polyethylene Glycol Electrolyte Solution Via a Nasogastric Tube: Pulmonary Complications.
Metheny, NA, Meert, KL
American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses. 2017;(2):e11-e17
Abstract
BACKGROUND Patients sometimes require insertion of a nasogastric tube for the administration of a large volume of a polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution. If the tube is malpositioned, the risk for direct instillation of the solution into the lung increases. The risk for aspiration also increases if the infusion rate exceeds gastrointestinal tolerance. PURPOSE To review published cases of patients' experiencing adverse pulmonary events after administration of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution via a nasogastric tube and to offer suggestions to prevent these outcomes. METHODS A search of the literature from 1993 through 2014 was performed by using the PubMed, MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Scopus databases. RESULTS In the 12 case reports located, none of the patients had radiographs to verify tube location before infusion of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution. After symptoms developed in 3 children (ages 8-11 years), radiographs showed their tubes incorrectly positioned in the bronchus, lung, or esophagus; ports of a fourth child's tube were in the oropharynx. The remaining 8 patients (ages 5-86 years) never had radiographs to determine tube placement. Pulmonary complications from the infusions of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution contributed to the death of 5 of the patients. CONCLUSION Relatively simple maneuvers to reduce the likelihood of adverse pulmonary events following the administration of large volumes of polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution via a nasogastric tube are well worth the cost and effort to protect patients from potential serious injury.
2.
Focal hypokalemic paralysis: report of 2 cases and review of the literature.
Negrotto, L, Barroso, FA
Journal of clinical neuromuscular disease. 2012;(1):21-7
Abstract
Hypokalemia is one of the most frequent electrolytic disturbances encountered in clinical practice. It usually presents with symmetrical generalized muscle weakness and, on occasions, with arrhythmias. There are scarce reports of cases presenting with asymmetric or focal weakness in the literature and no systematic reviews on the subject. Therefore, our aim is to describe 2 cases of hypokalemic paralysis that presented as monoparesis and to review the literature on focal hypokalemic paralysis. Hypokalemic paralysis is usually reversible. However, it can be fatal if the diagnosis and treatment are delayed. It is important to take into account this presentation because failure to recognize it could lead to misdiagnosis, delaying the adequate treatment.
3.
[Physiology and pathophysiology of tubular transport of solutes and water].
Sekine, T
Nihon Jinzo Gakkai shi. 2008;(8):974-82