Electrolytes

Question 1

What is the management of a hypercalcemic crisis?

Answer 1

The initial management of hypercalcemic crisis involves volume repletion and hydration. Because patients often have a fluid deficiency of 4–5 liters, delivering 1000 mL of normal saline during the first hour, followed by 250–300 mL/hour, may decrease the hypercalcemia to less than critical levels (<13 mg/dL). If the clinical status is not satisfactory after hydration alone, then renal excretion of calcium can be enhanced by saline diuresis using furosemide.