A nurse on the medical surgical floor is caring for a patient with chronic atrial fibrillation and congestive heart failure. The nurse notices on the telemetry EKG monitor that the patient is having frequent,
Explanation
•The normal serum magnesium level is 1.3-2.1 mEq/L. Magnesium levels below 1.3 mEq/L (hypomagnesemia) can cause cardiac dysrhythmias like premature ventricular contractions (PVCs).
•If the magnesium is not replaced, the patient is at risk for ventricular tachycardia or ventricular fibrillation.
•The nurse caring for a patient with hypomagnesemia should notify the doctor to get orders for appropriate replacement of magnesium.