Cardiac: Calcium Supplement

Question 1

Calcium Chloride

Onset: immediate
Peak effects: unknown
Duration: varies
Half-life: N/A

MOA: Replaces calcium in cases of hypocalcemia. It causes a significant increase in the myocardial contractile force, and appears to increase ventricular automaticity. It can also minimize some of the side effects of calcium channel blocker usage.
* NOTE: is the antidote for magnesium sulfate

Answer 1

Class: calcium supplement

Description: Calcium Chloride provides elemental calcium in the form of the cation.

Indications: acute hyperkalemia (elevated potassium), acute hypocalcemia (decreased calcium), and calcium channel blocker toxicity (nifedipine, verapamil, and diltiazem)

Contraindications: use caution in using in pts taking Digitalis, as it may cause Digitalis toxicity

Precautions: you MUST flush the IV line between administration of calcium chloride and sodium bicarbonate to avoid precipitation. Calcium Chloride can cause tissue necrosis at the injection site.

Side effects: bradycardia, arrhythmias, syncope, N/V, cardiac arrest

Route: IV

Dosage: 2-4 mg/kg