Intravenous magnesium sulphate (MgSO4) is an accepted part of the pharmacological management of patients with asthma. There is conflicting information, however, on whether its nebulised form is beneficial. This article describes a case study in which a patient was given intravenous MgSO4. It was suggested by a medical consultant that she could have been given nebulised MgSO4, so a literature review was undertaken to examine its efficacy. The results suggest there is no evidence to support the use of nebulised MgSO4 in the management of patients with asthma.
Keywords: advanced practice; asthma; emergency department; magnesium sulphate; nebulised; urgent care.