Midterm Study Guide

Question 1

What is Hypocalcemia?

Answer 1

Low level of calcium in the blood (below 8.5mg/dl)

Question 2

Causes of Hypocalcemia:

Answer 2

Vitamin D deficit, alcoholism, diuretic therapy, hypoparathyroidism, sepsis.

Question 3

Signs/Symptoms of Hypocalcemia:

Answer 3

Skeletal muscle cramps, abdominal cramps, carpopedal spasms, hypotension, vasoconstriction, laryngospasm with stridor, seizures, prolonged QT interval and ventricular dysrhythmias.

Question 4

Treatment of Hypocalcemia:

Answer 4

Calcium Chloride or Calcium Gluconate.

Question 5

Hypercarbia

Answer 5

Abnormally elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) levels in the blood. Normal range is 35-45mm Hg.

Question 6

Causes of Hypercarbia:

Answer 6

Decrease minute volume, trauma to head/spinal cord, neuromuscular dystrophy (MS, Polio), paralytics, angioedema/bronchoconstriction.

Question 7

Hypercarbia due to hypoventilation

Answer 7

Carbon dioxide accumulates in the lungs and combines with bicarbonate and hydrogen ions, leads to respiratory acidosis.

Question 8

Hypercarbia Signs/Symptoms

Answer 8

Flushed skin, drowsiness, headache, feeling disoriented or dizzy, dyspnea, fatigue.