Calcium and magnesium instability
NCLEX-RN glossary · Health Promotion And Maintenance
Definition
The clinical state of fluctuating serum levels of calcium and magnesium that impacts neuromuscular and cardiac stability.
Calcium and magnesium instability in plain English
It requires the RN to monitor for cues of neuromuscular irritability and cardiac rhythm disturbances to prevent acute seizures or arrest. The main trap is interpreting a total calcium value as normal without verifying if a concurrent albumin deficiency is masking a physiological deficit.
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