2.0 Continuing Education Hours

Rhabdomyolysis means the “dissolution of skeletal muscle”.  It is a syndrome caused by direct muscle injury, or a mismatch between energy production and energy consumption that results in a breakdown of muscle cells.  This breakdown results in the leakage of potentially toxic intracellular contents into the systemic circulation.  While there are many causes for rhabdomyolysis, the most common include trauma, drugs, and strenuous exercise. In this class, the pathophysiology, treatment and nursing interventions for the patient with rhabdomyolysis will be reviewed.