F+E: Magnesium Imbalances

Magnesium range:

1.5-2.5 mEq/L

Magnesium goal:

muscle relaxation, maintain immunes system, bones, BG

Hypomagnesemia:

<1.5

Causes of Hypomagnesemia:

• Excessive Alcohol= stops GI from absorbing Mg+

• Fluid loss: NG suction, N/V, Diuretics

• Antibiotics (Aminoglycosides)

• Pregnant momma’s= risk for malnutrition

Signs and Symptoms of Hypomagnesemia:

Muscles Go Wild

• ^HR, ^RR(shallow respirations)

• Prolonged QT interval

• Depressed ST segment, inverted T wave

• Dyspnea

• Diarrhea

• ^DTR’s (clonus), numbness, tingling

• Confusion, insomnia, seizures

• Bad: Torsade’s De Pointes, VFIB

Hypomagnesemia Interventions:

1. Assess swallowing (muscles)

2. IV Magnesium Sulfate: give slowly and monitor labs

3. Assess RR

4. Assess reflexes: clonus is bad

5. Diet

Hypomagnesemia diet:

Encourage:

• chocolate

• cauliflower

• veggies

• avocados

• peas

• bananas

• oranges

• milk

• peanut butter

• pork

• nuts

Hypermagnesemia:

>2.5

Causes of Hypermagnesemia:

• DKA

• Antacids with Mag (TUMS)

• Renal Failure

• Hyperkalemia- Addison’s disease

Signs and Symptoms of Hypermagnesemia:

Too Relaxed

• low BP, RR, HR

• Widened QR’s, prolonged PR interval

• Hypoactive bowel sounds

• Deceased DTR’s or absent

• Drowsy, lethargic

• Bad: Coma

Hypermagnesemia Interventions:

1. IV Calcium gluconate 

2. Monitor labs and DTR’s

3. Hemodialysis

4. Diet

Hypermagnesemia Diet

Restrict:

• chocolate

• cauliflower

• veggies

• avocados

• peas

• bananas

• oranges

• milk

• peanut butter

• pork

• nuts