(^436) Medical-Surgical Nursing Demystified
TREATMENT
- Administer magnesium sulfate intravenously to increase levels.
- Monitor deep tendon reflexes.
- Monitor cardiac rhythm.
- Increase magnesium in the patient’s diet.
- May need to correct calcium and potassium concurrently.
NURSING DIAGNOSES
- Impaired gas exchange
- Risk for injury
- Decreased cardiac output
NURSING INTERVENTION
- Monitor intake and output.
- Monitor vital signs for changes.
- Monitor cardiovascular status for changes in heart rhythm, pulse deficit.
- Explain to the patient:
- Eat whole grains, legumes, fish, and dark green leafy vegetables that are
high in magnesium. - No laxatives.
- Eat whole grains, legumes, fish, and dark green leafy vegetables that are
Hypermagnesemia
WHAT WENT WRONG?
Hypermagnesemia is a greater-than-normal amount of magnesium in the blood.
Patients with poor renal function or long-term abuse of magnesium-containing
compounds have difficulty excreting magnesium. The excess of magnesium in the
blood causes the cell membranes to become less excitable than normal, requiring
a greater stimuli than would normally be needed to cause a required effect. As the
magnesium level continues to rise, the cell membrane becomes more resistant to
its natural stimuli.
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