Calcium Imbalances Flashcards
Most calcium is found in the _______.
Bones
Calcium provides ______ in the bones
Strength
Calcium is needed for effective _____ _______ and nerve ______.
membrane potentials, excitabilities
Hypocalcemia means too much serum calcium: True or False
False
Hypocalcemia = too little calcium
Too much serum calcium is called:
Hypercalcemia
Causes of Hypercalcemia:
1) Hyperparathyroidism (2/3 time)
2) Hematological Cancers (1/3 time)
3) Other, less common issues
Where is the Parathyroid found?
in the Thyroid
The regulator of serum calcium is the _______
Parathyroid
Which diagnosis is said or believed to be the #1 reason for Hypercalcemia?
Hyperparathyroidism
What is a paraneoplastic disorder?
Associated with hematologic cancers, where the cancer cells excrete substances that they typically don’t excrete and makes no sense.
Example: Lung cancer Pt, who is not symptomatic, but has increased serum calcium levels d/t the lung cancer excreting it.
Causes of Hypocalcemia:
1) Renal failure
2) Parathyroid is deficient or removed
3) Multiple blood transfusions
Why do multiple blood transfusions cause hypocalcemia?
Citrates used in the blood binds with calcium
Manifestations of Hypercalcemia:
1) Reduced excitability of muscles and nerves
2) Confusion, psychosis
3) Seizures, coma
Excessive amounts of Calcium act as a _______
sedative
Nursing Care for Hypercalcemia
for Mild Symptoms:
- stop the Calcium
- decrease calcium intake/diet
- increase weight-bearing
- maintain adequate hydration
Nursing Care of Hypercalcemia
for Severe Symptoms:
- provide IV isotonic saline
- a bisphosphonate injection (pamidronate = gold standard for Cancer patient)
- calcitonin injections (short-term)
Manifestations of Hypocalcemia:
- Tetany
- Chvostek’s sign
- Trousseau’s sign
- EKG changes
Intermittent muscle spasms due to nerve excitability and sustained muscle contractions is called:
Tetany
These two assessment findings are indicative of a hypocalcemia diagnosis:
Chvostek’s sign
Trousseau’s sign
Why would you see EKG changes in someone with hypocalcemia?
Calcium impacts the action potential
This sign relates to a carpal pedal spasm that is induced by inflating a BP cuff above the systolic pressure for a few minutes
Trousseau’s sign
This sign means there is a contraction of facial muscles in response to a light tap over the facial nerve in front of the ear
Chvostek’s sign
Too much calcium causes excitability of the nerves and sustained muscle contractions: True or False
False
Too little calcium —Hypocalcemia
