Calcium Imbalances

Question 1

Most calcium is found in the _______.

Answer 1

Bones

Question 2

Calcium provides ______ in the bones

Answer 2

Strength

Question 3

Calcium is needed for effective _____ _______ and nerve ______.

Answer 3

membrane potentials, excitabilities

Question 4

Hypocalcemia means too much serum calcium: True or False

Answer 4

False

Hypocalcemia = too little calcium

Question 5

Too much serum calcium is called:

Answer 5

Hypercalcemia

Question 6

Causes of Hypercalcemia:

Answer 6

1) Hyperparathyroidism (2/3 time)
2) Hematological Cancers (1/3 time)
3) Other, less common issues

Question 7

Where is the Parathyroid found?

Answer 7

in the Thyroid

Question 8

The regulator of serum calcium is the _______

Answer 8

Parathyroid

Question 9

Which diagnosis is said or believed to be the #1 reason for Hypercalcemia?

Answer 9

Hyperparathyroidism

Question 10

What is a paraneoplastic disorder?

Answer 10

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.

Question 11

Causes of Hypocalcemia:

Answer 11

1) Renal failure
2) Parathyroid is deficient or removed
3) Multiple blood transfusions

Question 12

Why do multiple blood transfusions cause hypocalcemia?

Answer 12

Citrates used in the blood binds with calcium

Question 13

Manifestations of Hypercalcemia:

Answer 13

1) Reduced excitability of muscles and nerves
2) Confusion, psychosis
3) Seizures, coma

Question 14

Excessive amounts of Calcium act as a _______

Answer 14

sedative

Question 15

Nursing Care for Hypercalcemia

for Mild Symptoms:

Answer 15

• stop the Calcium
• decrease calcium intake/diet
• increase weight-bearing
• maintain adequate hydration

Question 16

Nursing Care of Hypercalcemia

for Severe Symptoms:

Answer 16

• provide IV isotonic saline
• a bisphosphonate injection (pamidronate = gold standard for Cancer patient)
• calcitonin injections (short-term)

Question 17

Manifestations of Hypocalcemia:

Answer 17

• Tetany
• Chvostek’s sign
• Trousseau’s sign
• EKG changes

Question 18

Intermittent muscle spasms due to nerve excitability and sustained muscle contractions is called:

Answer 18

Tetany

Question 19

These two assessment findings are indicative of a hypocalcemia diagnosis:

Answer 19

Chvostek’s sign

Trousseau’s sign

Question 20

Why would you see EKG changes in someone with hypocalcemia?

Answer 20

Calcium impacts the action potential

Question 21

This sign relates to a carpal pedal spasm that is induced by inflating a BP cuff above the systolic pressure for a few minutes

Answer 21

Trousseau’s sign

Question 22

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

Answer 22

Chvostek’s sign

Question 23

Too much calcium causes excitability of the nerves and sustained muscle contractions: True or False

Answer 23

False

Too little calcium —Hypocalcemia