Fluid & Electrolyte NCLEX Practice
Questions & Answers
hypocalcemia normal values 8.6 to 10mg/dL Correct Ans-causes: inhibition of calcium
absorption from the gastrointestinal tract
inadequate oral intake, lactose intolerance
malabsorption syndromes such as celiac sprue or Crohn's disease
inadequate intake of vitamin D
end stage renal disease
increased calcium excretion
renal failure
diarrhea, steatorrhea, wound drainage, gastrointestional
hypocalcemia Correct Ans-decrease in ionized fraction of calcium
hyperproteinemia,alkalosis, calcium binders chelators
acute pancreatitis, hyperphospatemia, immobility
Removal or destruction of parathyroid glands
hypocalcemia cardiac Correct Ans-decreased heart rate
hypotension, diminished peripheral pulses
Prolonged ST interval, prolonged QT interval
,hypocalcemia respiratory Correct Ans-not directly affected but, respiratory failure and arrest
may result from decreased respiratory movement because of muscle tetany or seizures
hypocalcemia neuromuscular Correct Ans-irritable skeletal muscles Twitches, cramps, tetany,
seizures
painful muscles spasms in the calf or foot during periods of inactivity
paresthesias followed by numbness that may affect the lips, nose, and ears in addition to the
limbs
Positive Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs
hyperactive deep tendon relexes
anxiety, irritability
hypocalcemia gastrointestional Correct Ans-increased gastric motility; hyperactive bowel
sounds
abdominal cramping, diarrhea
hypocalcemia Interventions Correct Ans-monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular,
and gastrointestional status; place the client on a cardiac monitor
administer calcium supplements orally or calcium intravenously
Warm injection to body temperature before administration and administer slowly; monitor for
ECG changes, observe for infiltration, and monitor for hypercalcemia
administer medications that increase absorption of calcium
,hypocalcemia Interventions Correct Ans-aluminum hydroxide reduces serum phosphorus
levels, causing the countereffect of increasing calcium levels.
Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium from the intestinal tract
Provide quiet environment to reduce environmental stimuli
initiate seizure precautions
move the client carefully, and monitor for signs of a fracture
Keep 10% calcium gluconate available for treatment of acute calcium deficit
instruct client to consume foods high in calcium
Cheese, collard greens, milk and soy milk, Rhubarb, sardines, spinach, tofu, yogurt
hypercalcemia Correct Ans-increased calcium absorption
excessive oral intake
excessive oral intake of vitamin D
decreased calcium excretion
renal failure
use of thiazide diuretics
Increased bone resorption of calcium
hyperparathyroidism
hyperthyroidism, Malignancy (bone destruction from metastatic tumors)
immobility, use of glucocorticoids
Hemoconcentration
Dehydration, use of lithium, adrenal insufficiency
, hypercalcemia cardiovascular Correct Ans-increased heart rate in early phase, bradycardia
that can lead to cardiac arrest in the late phase
increased blood pressure
bounding, full peripheral pulses
ECG Shortened ST segment, widened T wave
hypercalcemia respiratory Correct Ans-ineffective respriatory movement as a result of
profound skeletal muscle weakness
hypercalcemia neuromuscular Correct Ans-profound muscle weakness
diminished or absent deep tendon reflexes
disorientation, lethargy, coma
hypercalcemia renal Correct Ans-increased urinary output leading to dehyfreation
formation of renal calculi
hypercalcemia gastrointestional Correct Ans-decreased motility and hypoactive bowel
sounds
anorexia, nausea, abdominal distention constipation
Questions & Answers
hypocalcemia normal values 8.6 to 10mg/dL Correct Ans-causes: inhibition of calcium
absorption from the gastrointestinal tract
inadequate oral intake, lactose intolerance
malabsorption syndromes such as celiac sprue or Crohn's disease
inadequate intake of vitamin D
end stage renal disease
increased calcium excretion
renal failure
diarrhea, steatorrhea, wound drainage, gastrointestional
hypocalcemia Correct Ans-decrease in ionized fraction of calcium
hyperproteinemia,alkalosis, calcium binders chelators
acute pancreatitis, hyperphospatemia, immobility
Removal or destruction of parathyroid glands
hypocalcemia cardiac Correct Ans-decreased heart rate
hypotension, diminished peripheral pulses
Prolonged ST interval, prolonged QT interval
,hypocalcemia respiratory Correct Ans-not directly affected but, respiratory failure and arrest
may result from decreased respiratory movement because of muscle tetany or seizures
hypocalcemia neuromuscular Correct Ans-irritable skeletal muscles Twitches, cramps, tetany,
seizures
painful muscles spasms in the calf or foot during periods of inactivity
paresthesias followed by numbness that may affect the lips, nose, and ears in addition to the
limbs
Positive Trousseau's and Chvostek's signs
hyperactive deep tendon relexes
anxiety, irritability
hypocalcemia gastrointestional Correct Ans-increased gastric motility; hyperactive bowel
sounds
abdominal cramping, diarrhea
hypocalcemia Interventions Correct Ans-monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular,
and gastrointestional status; place the client on a cardiac monitor
administer calcium supplements orally or calcium intravenously
Warm injection to body temperature before administration and administer slowly; monitor for
ECG changes, observe for infiltration, and monitor for hypercalcemia
administer medications that increase absorption of calcium
,hypocalcemia Interventions Correct Ans-aluminum hydroxide reduces serum phosphorus
levels, causing the countereffect of increasing calcium levels.
Vitamin D aids in the absorption of calcium from the intestinal tract
Provide quiet environment to reduce environmental stimuli
initiate seizure precautions
move the client carefully, and monitor for signs of a fracture
Keep 10% calcium gluconate available for treatment of acute calcium deficit
instruct client to consume foods high in calcium
Cheese, collard greens, milk and soy milk, Rhubarb, sardines, spinach, tofu, yogurt
hypercalcemia Correct Ans-increased calcium absorption
excessive oral intake
excessive oral intake of vitamin D
decreased calcium excretion
renal failure
use of thiazide diuretics
Increased bone resorption of calcium
hyperparathyroidism
hyperthyroidism, Malignancy (bone destruction from metastatic tumors)
immobility, use of glucocorticoids
Hemoconcentration
Dehydration, use of lithium, adrenal insufficiency
, hypercalcemia cardiovascular Correct Ans-increased heart rate in early phase, bradycardia
that can lead to cardiac arrest in the late phase
increased blood pressure
bounding, full peripheral pulses
ECG Shortened ST segment, widened T wave
hypercalcemia respiratory Correct Ans-ineffective respriatory movement as a result of
profound skeletal muscle weakness
hypercalcemia neuromuscular Correct Ans-profound muscle weakness
diminished or absent deep tendon reflexes
disorientation, lethargy, coma
hypercalcemia renal Correct Ans-increased urinary output leading to dehyfreation
formation of renal calculi
hypercalcemia gastrointestional Correct Ans-decreased motility and hypoactive bowel
sounds
anorexia, nausea, abdominal distention constipation
