Hypomagnesaemia: diagnosis and management in the emergency department

Magnesium is an intracellular electrolyte and is a vital element in human physiological functioning. A deficiency in magnesium, termed hypomagnesaemia, can affect the neuromuscular, cardiovascular and renal systems. Hypomagnesaemia may be more prevalent in patients with cancer than in the general population. The increasing numbers of cancer diagnoses in the UK means that emergency department (ED) nurses are likely to be involved in care of this population, including those with suspected hypomagnesaemia. This article describes some of the causes and signs and symptoms of hypomagnesaemia and outlines the diagnosis and clinical management of patients with the condition. The article includes a case study of a patient with cancer who was admitted to an ED with hypomagnesaemia.