Calcium Disorders Flashcards
1
Q
What might cause low serum calcium?
A
- vitamin D deficiency
- renal insufficiency
- hypoalbuminemia
- hypomagnesemia
- pancreatitis
- sepsis
- rhabdomyolysis
2
Q
Symptoms of Low Calcium
A
- V/D
- nervousness
- weakness, paresthesias, muscle stiffness/cramps
- HA
- abdominal pain
3
Q
Signs of Low Calcium
A
- tetany
- carpopedal spasms (Trosseau’s sign)
- Chvostek’s sign (contraction of facial muscles when tapping facial nerve at jaw angle)
- hair loss
- cataracts
- papilledema
4
Q
Treatment of Low Calcium
A
- determine cause
- calcium and vitamin D
5
Q
What is Chvostek’s sign?
A
tapping facial nerve at the angle of the jaw results in contraction of the facial muscles on the same side
6
Q
Causes of Hypercalcemia
A
- malignancy: breast, lung, head, neck, renal cell, hematologic
- prolonged immobilization
- low gravity environments
- granulomatous dz (sarcoidosis, TB)
7
Q
What is the most common cause of hypercalcemia?
A
- primary hyperparathyroidism
- secondary hyperparathyroidism (vit D deficiency, chronic renal failure)
8
Q
General Sxs of Hypercalcemia
A
- N/D
- HA
- anorexia
- lethargy
- pruritus
9
Q
What are complications of hypercalcemia?
A
- stones: kidney
- bones: pseudogout, bone cysts
- groans: altered LOC, decreased memory, personality change, depression
- abdominal moans: PUD, acute pancreatitis, constipation
