Hypocalcemia Flashcards
What is hypocalcemia?
A serum calcium level less than 8.6 mg/dL, considered in conjunction with serum albumin level.
Causes include hypoparathyroidism, malabsorption, pancreatitis, alkalosis, massive transfusion of citrated blood, renal failure, medications, and others.
What are the manifestations of hypocalcemia?
Tetany, circumoral numbness, paresthesias, hyperactive DTRs, Trousseau’s sign, Chvostek’s sign, seizures, respiratory symptoms of dyspnea and laryngospasm, abnormal clotting, and anxiety.
What is Trousseau’s sign?
A clinical sign indicative of hypocalcemia, characterized by carpal spasm when the blood pressure cuff is inflated.
Trousseau’s sign is used in the assessment of hypocalcemia.
What is Chvostek’s sign?
A clinical sign of hypocalcemia, characterized by twitching of the facial muscles when the facial nerve is tapped.
Chvostek’s sign is used in the assessment of hypocalcemia.
What is the medical management for hypocalcemia?
IV calcium gluconate and calcium and vitamin D supplements.
What are the nursing management strategies for hypocalcemia?
Assessment (severe hypocalcemia is life-threatening), weight-bearing exercises to decrease bone calcium loss, patient teaching related to diet and medications, and nursing care related to IV calcium administration.
