Final answer:
Signs of magnesium toxicity include decreased deep tendon reflexes and in severe cases, decreased respiratory rate. The correct action is to withhold magnesium sulfate and possibly administer intravenous calcium gluconate. Magnesium is important for cardiovascular and metabolic health, making it crucial to avoid both deficiency and excessive levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
The signs of magnesium (Mg) toxicity include decreased deep tendon reflexes, lethargy, muscle weakness, and in severe cases, decreased respiratory rate and cardiac arrest. The appropriate response to Mg toxicity is b) Decreased respiratory rate; withhold magnesium sulfate. This is because administering more magnesium would exacerbate the toxicity. If a patient exhibits signs of severe toxicity, such as respiratory depression, immediate medical intervention with intravenous calcium gluconate might be necessary to counteract the effects of hypermagnesemia.
Magnesium plays a vital role in health, affecting blood pressure, heart rate, and metabolic processes. Chronic deficiency in magnesium can lead to hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, and cardiovascular complications. Therefore, maintaining adequate magnesium levels is crucial for metabolic and cardiovascular health.
Conversely, in conditions like hypercalcemia, where calcium levels are high, the nervous system becomes underactive, which contrasts the overactivity seen in magnesium deficiency.