Calcium PDF

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calcium imbalance...

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Calcium Calcium has an inverse relationship with phosphorus If calcium levels are high... phosphorus levels will be low & vice versa Calcium acts as a gate keeper for sodium & action potentials if gate is too high, action potentials will have a hard time getting through) (if gate is too low, actions potentials will happen like crazy) Normal range of calcium: 9.00-10.5 (Think of California has earthquakes between 9-10 range) Calcium is important for bone & teeth formation, nerve & muscle functioning and clotting Hypocalcemia: value falls below 9.00 Causes: vitamin D deficiency, hypoparathyroidism, removal of thyroid glands, hyperphosphatemia, pancreatitis Symptoms: positive Trousseau’ (inflate blood pressure cuff which causes finger spasming) or Chvostek’s sign (tap on patients cheek causing facial twitching), muscle spasms, numbness & tingling in the lips & fingers, GI upset, hypotension, decreased heartrate Nursing care: encourage patient to increase intake of calcium & supplements Hypercalcemia: values above 10.5 Causes: hyperparathyroidism, long-term steroid use, bone cancer Symptoms: constipation, weakness, decreased DTRs, kidney stones, lethargy...