Exam 4 Flashcards
Calcium function
-Regulated by calcitriol, parathyroid hormone, and calcitonin
-99% is in bone
-Combines with MG and Phosphorus for rigidity and structure
-involved in forming fibrin and in clotting
- involved in nerve transmission, muscle contraction and relaxation
Total serum Calcium = free ionized + albumin bound
Hypocalcemia
<8.5 mg/dL
-causes osteoporosis
-can cause muscle spasm and tetanus
-Chvostek’s (facial construction) and Trosseau’s (carpal spasm)
Causes of Hypocalcemia
“The hyper hippo has alcoholism so his albumin and magnesium levels are low, and has renal insufficiency”
-Hypoparathyroidism: can’t secrete PTH to increase calcium. (Neck injury)
-Hyperphosphatemia: calcium and phosphate are bound and when there are more Phosphorus ions, less free Ca+ in blood
- Renal insufficiency: can’t convert Vitamin D into Calcitriol
-Low Magnesium: Magnesium plays a role in PTH secretion
-Chronic Alcohol: promotes Ca+ excretion and prevents reabsorption by the kidneys
-Loop Diuretics: most potent/dumps everything
-Low Albumin: Calcium binds to albumin
Hypocalcemia Sx
-Hyperreflexia: Exaggerated contractions; happens bc there are more depolarizations
- Tetany (Chvostek/Trousseau)
-Numbness/tingling in extremities and around the mouth
-Cardiac dysrhythmias
Hypocalcemia Nursing Implications
-Increase Ca+ dietary sources and Vitamin D supplements
-Assess diuretic intake
-Assess post-opp thyroid or neck surgery
-Assess motion, sensation reflexes
-Assess changes in cardiac rhythm.
-Assess labs
Serum Calcium levels
8.5-10.5 mg/dL
Explain Calcium Regulation (High Levels)
When serum Calcium is too high, thyroid secretes calcitonin, which stimulates osteoblasts to remove ca from blood and deposit into bone; tells intestines to stop reabsorbing Calcium, and kidneys to stop reabsorbing calcium–> ca levels go down.
Explain Calcium Regulation (Low levels)
If serum Calcium levels are low, parathyroid secretes PTH which stimulates osteoclasts to break down bone and put into blood, and tells intestines and kidneys to reabsorb Calcium–> ca levels go up
Explain what happens to phosphorus when PTH is secreted
PTH tells the kidneys to increase calcium reabsoption and dump phosphorus, and increases the conversion of alpha hydroxylase into Vitamine D
PTH will increase phosphorus absorption in bone
The small intestine responds to increased Vitamin D levels produced by the kidney and is stimulated to reabsorb both calcium and phosphorus into blood
Hypercalcemia serum levels
> 10.5 mg/dL
Causes of hypercalcemia
-hyperparathyroidism: too much PTH being secreted
-bone cancer : all types of cancer actually. Tumor factors are secreted and stimulate osteoclastic activity
-excess intake of calcium
Hypercalcemia Symptoms
-muscle weakness
-lethargy, confusion
-cardiac dysrhythmias
-bone pain, fractures - too much osteoclatic activity
-kidney stones
“The quad-fecta + bone fractures and stones”
Hypercalcemia Nursing Implications
-low calcium diet
-fluid intake
-assess neurological functioning
-assess cardiac rhythm
-filter urine if needed
-assess labs
-bedrest
Phosphorus Levels
2.5-4.5 mg/dL
Functions of Phosphorus
-energy production from CHO, fat, and protein (ATP)
-acid-base buffering system
Hypophosphatemia
<2.5 mg/dL
Causes of hypophosphatemia
-inadequate intake/absorption issues
-chronic alcoholism
-vitamin D difficiency: can’t convert into calcitriol–> no reabsorption from GI
-overuse of phosphate binding antacids (Tums)
-hyperparathyroidism:P is Regulated by kidney: too much PTH = excessive dumping of P
Symptoms of Hypophosphatemia
-muscle weakness
-lethargy, confusion
-respiratory weakness
-cardiac dysrhythmia
similar to hypercalcemia
Hypophosphatemia Nursing Implications
-Assess neurological and respiratory function
-Assess cardiac rhythm
-Assess alcohol consumption
-Assess antacid use
-Assess for malabsorption issues
-Assess for hypercalcemia
Hyperphosphatemia levels
> 4.5 mg/dL
Causes of Hyperphosphatemia
-renal failure
-chronic use of phosphate enemas
-hypoparathyroidism
Symptoms of hyperphosphatemia
-hyperflexia
-tetany (Chvostek/Trousseau)
-numbness/tingling to extremities and around mouth
-cardiac dysrhythmia
similar to hypocalcemia
Hyperphosphatemia Nursing Implications
-Assess ROM, sensation reflexes
-Assess cardiac rhythm
-Assess kidney function
-Assess for hypocalcemia
Magnesium levels
1.8-2.2 mg/dL
Function of Magnesium
-second most abundant ICF cation
-50-60% stored in muscle and bone and 30% in cells
-Regulated by kidneys and GI
-cofactor in CHO metabolism, DNA and protein synthesis, blood glucose control, and BP regulation
-regulation of insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells
-muscle contration/relaxation
-neurotransmitter release and neurological function