ELECTROLYTES: CALCIUM

Question 1

Normal Calcium Serum Level

Answer 1

8.2-10.2 mEq/L

Question 2

Hypocalcemia

Level

s/s

Tx

Answer 2

Level

s/s

• Tetany
• Chvostek’s signs: a spasm of the facial muscles elicited by tapping the facial nerve in the region of the parotid gland; seen in tetany.
• Trousseau’s signs: An indication of latent tetany in which carpal spasm occurs when the upperarm is compressed, as by a tourniquet or a blood pressure cuff.
• Increase DTR
• laryngospasm
• Increase bleeding
• dry brittle hair, nails
• Memory, confused impairment

Tx

• Calcium gluconate by slow IV push or infusion of D5W or NS
• Be prepared for emergency, seizure, tetany laryngospasm, respiratory or cardiac arrest,
• emergency tracheostomy
• Monitor airway
• Emergency tracheostomy kit, IV calcium gluconate at bedside post op thyroidectomy incase of inadvertant removal of parathyroid

Question 3

Hypercalcemia

Signs & Symptoms

Answer 3

• Muscle weakness
• Increse fatigue
• Decrease DTR
• Decrease hypoactive bowel sounds
• Personality changes
• psychosis
• ECG changes cardiac arrest
• kidney stones