Electrolytes

Question 1

What can cause hypomagnesium?

Answer 1

decreased intake (alcoholism, IV fluids or TPN)
Increased losses (GI, renal or drug)

Question 2

What are some symptoms of hypomagnesaemia?

Answer 2

neuro - weakness, paresthesia, tetany, seizures, confusion, coma
cardio - arrythmias
metabolic - hypokalaemia, hypocalacamia

Question 3

How do you treat hypomagnesaemia?

Answer 3

IV or oral magnesium

Question 4

What would cause hypermagnesium?

Answer 4

need very high intake and renal impairment

e.g. IV magnesium

Question 5

What can cause hypophosphate?

Answer 5

critical care, burns, alcoholic inpatients, malnutrition, sepsis

Question 6

What are some symptoms of hypophosphate?

Answer 6

anaemia
weakness, rhabdomyolysis, resp failure 
confusion, seizures, coma 
cardiomyopathy 
osteomalacia, pain

Question 7

How would you treat hypophosphate?

Answer 7

IV PO4

oral phosphate sandoz or skimmed milk

Question 8

What can cause hyperphosphate?

Answer 8

increased intake - phosphate enema, cow milk
released from cells - tumour lysis syndrome, rhabomyolysis
reduced excretion - CKD