Rhabdomyolysis: a case-based critical reflection on its causes and diagnosis

Rhabdomyolysis is a rare and complex condition that involves injury of the skeletal muscle fibres, resulting in the release of substances such as creatine kinase and myoglobin. It is associated with acute kidney injury and mortality. This article describes the case of a 40-year-old man who presented to the emergency department after an overdose of tramadol hydrochloride. It uses critical reflection to explore traumatic and non-traumatic causes of rhabdomyolysis and reviews the literature relating to the diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis through laboratory and point-of-care testing. To ensure the timely identification of patients at risk of deterioration, emergency nurses need to be aware of the potential causes and the clinical signs and symptoms of rhabdomyolysis.