Question

A nurse is caring for a client with Crohn disease whose magnesium level is 1.0 mg/dL. Which assessment findings does the nurse expect to note? Select all that apply.

a) Hypotension
b) Constipation
c) Hyperreflexia
d) Muscle weakness
e) Tetany

Answer 1

A nurse should expect to note hypotension, hyperreflexia, muscle weakness, and tetany as symptoms in a client with Crohn's disease whose magnesium level is 1.0 mg/dL. These are common signs of hypomagnesemia but constipation is not typically associated with this condition.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse caring for a client with Crohn's disease whose magnesium level is 1.0 mg/dL should expect to note several assessment findings associated with hypomagnesemia. The symptoms of hypomagnesemia typically include:

• Hypotension: Low magnesium levels can lead to a decrease in blood pressure.
• Hyperreflexia: Decreased levels of magnesium can result in overactive reflexes.
• Muscle weakness: Magnesium is important for muscle function, and low levels can cause muscles to be weak.
• Tetany: This is a sign of neuromuscular irritability due to low magnesium.

Constipation is more commonly associated with hypercalcemia, where the nervous system is underactive, rather than hypomagnesemia. Therefore, constipation is not a typical finding associated with low magnesium levels.