ENCORE! #251: Let’s Break Down Rhabdomyolysis

In this encore episode of Straight A Nursing, Nurse Mo dives deep into rhabdomyolysis, a serious condition where skeletal muscle breaks down and releases harmful substances into the bloodstream. Despite initially thinking the topic would be straightforward, she shares how complex and high-stakes the pathophysiology is, especially given its potential to cause acute kidney injury, electrolyte imbalances, and even death. The episode covers the two main causes—physical (like crush injuries, prolonged immobilization, or intense exercise) and non-physical (infections, medications, toxins)—and explains the cascade of cellular damage involving ATP depletion, calcium influx, and myoglobin release. Key complications include hyperkalemia, hypercalcemia, renal failure, and compartment syndrome. Nurse Mo walks listeners through the Straight-A Nursing LATTE method for patient care: Look (symptoms), Assess (vitals, labs, history), Test (CK, EKG, urinalysis), Treat (aggressive fluid resuscitation, bicarbonate, dialysis), and Educate (prevention and warning signs). The episode is packed with clinical pearls, including the critical importance of maintaining urine output at 200–300 mL/hour and recognizing the dark tea-colored urine as a hallmark sign.