Magnesium and Hemodialysis

Published

Specializes in Critical Care, Quality Imp, Education.

Can hypomagnesemia be corrected during hemodialysis. I know low K can be corrected, but I've noticed that magnesium usually is unchanged after dialysis. It came up when I wanted a novice RN to call the MD to get an order to give Mg for 1.5 Mg. The primary RN stated calling the MD was unnecessary since the patient had gone to dialysis the day before and that the Mg was "corrected". Our facility does not do post-HD bloodwork. Can Mg be corrected during HD?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nephrology, Cardiology, ER, ICU.

No - Mag is not provided during hemodialysis - must be given AFTER HD.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency ICU,Trauma, Burn ICU.

You need to be careful repleting Mg and K in patients receiving HD. Most of the time, in those chronic pts, you will not need to replace a mag level of 1.5 especially, if they are eating well (usually comes up on its own). Aggressive repletion in renal patients on HD is usually discouraged from my experience.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion