PHRM 825: Fluids and Electrolytes - Electrolytes - Ca+2 Flashcards
Normal Ca+2 blood levels
8.5-10.5 mg/dL
Calcium is necessary for ____ formation and _____ funciton
bone and neuromuscular
Calcium serum concentrations are controlled mainly by what 3 things?
parathyroid hormone, vitamin D, and calcitonin
Organs involved in calcium metabolism include
bone, kidneys, and the intestine
Causes of hypocalcemia (7)
- Magnesium deficiency
- Large volumes of blood products
- Hypoalbuminemia
- Post-op hypoparathyroid
- Vitamin D deficiency
- Thyroid surgery
- Medications
Hypocalcemia is typically seen in what kinds of patients?
Hospital patients
Corrected calcium equation
Corrected Ca+2 = measured Ca+2 + [(4 - measured albumin) x 0.8]
When available, you should use the _____ over the corrected calcium calculation
ionized calcium level
Normal ionized calcium levels
4.6-5.1 mg/dL (milligram, NOT milliequivalents)
What does ionized calcium levels represent?
The amount of calcium available for use in the body
Clinical presentation of hypocalcemia in the neuromuscular system
- Parasthesias
- Muscle cramps
- Tetany
Clinical presentation of hypocalcemia in the CNS
- Depression
- anxiety
- Memory loss
- Confusion
- Hallucination
- Seizures
Clinical presentation of hypocalcemia in the dermatologic system
- Hair loss
- Grooved brittle nails
- Eczema
Clinical presentation of hypocalcemia in the cardiac system
-Prolonged QT Decreased myocardial contractility -Arrhythmias -Bradycardia -Hypotension
Acute treatment of hypocalcemia
- 100-300 mg of elemental Ca+2 IV oer 5-10 minutes
- Usual administration rate for Ca+2 is 1 gm/hr
- Correct hypomagnesemia
What should you NEVER give a patient when giving calcium to treat hypocalcemia?
Bicarb or phos solutions (It will precipitate and create chalk in the bloodstream)
1 g CaCl = ____ g Ca gluconate
3
1 g CaCl= ____ mg elemental calcium
270
3 g Ca gluconate = ____ mg elemental calcium
270