HYPOMAGNESEMIA

Question 1

What are the surgical

causes?

Answer 1

TPN, hypocalcemia, gastric suctioning,
aminoglycosides, renal failure, diarrhea,
vomiting

Question 2

What are the signs/

symptoms?

Answer 2

Increased deep tendon reflexes, tetany,
asterixis, tremor, Chvostek’s sign,
ventricular ectopy, vertigo, tachycardia,
dysrhythmias

Question 3

What is the acute treatment?

Answer 3

MgSO4 IV

Question 4

What is the chronic

treatment?

Answer 4

Magnesium oxide PO (side effect:

diarrhea)

Question 5

Hypomagnesemia may
make it impossible to
correct what other
electrolyte abnormality?

Answer 5

Hypokalemia (always fix hypomagnesemia

with hypokalemia)