Electrolytes - Calcium

Question 1

What is normal range for Calcium?

Answer 1

8.5-10.5

Question 2

What is hypocalcemia? causes? s&s?

Answer 2

low blood plasma calcium levels
causes - hypoparathyroidism, pancreatitis, vitamin D deficiency, hyperphosphatemia, chronic alcoholism
s&s - Trousseau’s Signs, Chvostek’s Signs, Diarrhea

Question 3

What is hypercalcemia? causes? s&s?

Answer 3

high blood plasma calcium levels
causes - prolonged bed rest, hyperthyroidism, bone cancer, paget disease, osteoporosis
s&s - Swollen & slow
1. Constipation
2. Bone pain
3. Stones (Renal Calculi)
4. Deep Tendon Reflexes - Decreased DTR, Severe muscle weakness

Question 4

Calcium in blood clotting

Answer 4

Ca+ works with vitamin K & fibrinogen in the clotting cascade

Question 5

Calcium in nerve impulses

Answer 5

when an impulse reaches a muscle cell to transmit signal, calcium rushes inside the cell which then allows the impulse to be transmitted across the synapses and therefore muscle contraction occurs.

Calcium must move back & out for impulse/contraction to return to resting

Question 6

whats important for Calcium?

Answer 6

bones & teeth
blood clotting
nerve impulses
cardiac & muscle contraction

Question 7

Trousseau’s Sign

Answer 7

Swan look arm when BP is taken

Question 8

Chvoskek’s Sign

Answer 8

nerve excitability, hypocalcemia, touching of facial nerve, “elvis”