Term
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Definition
| skeletal muscle weakness, smooth muscle hypoactivity, mental dysfunction, renal dysfunction, decreased GFR, renal stones, shortening of QTc on ECG |
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Term
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Definition
| hyperexcitability of neurons (spontaneous seizures, parasthesias) and muscles (muscle spasm, tetany) |
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Term
| What does calcium have to do with nerves? |
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Definition
| It regulates the nerve excitability. Too MUCH calcium outside the cell (i.e., in the blood) makes it HARDER to excite the nerve==>muscular weakness==>coma. Too LITTLE calcium outside the cell makes it EASIER to excite the cell==>convulsions, muscle cramps, contractions (tetany). |
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Term
| What does calcium have to do with bone? |
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Definition
| It is the major structural cation in the bone. Too little calcium in the bone leads to spontaneous fractures. |
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Term
| What does calcium have to do with cells? |
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Definition
| Calcium is a signaling tool inside cells. Without it, those signals don't get processed inside the cells. |
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Term
| S/S of HYPERphosphatemia? |
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Definition
| Nonspecific. Usually only identified on a routine screen for something else. |
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Term
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Definition
Diffuse, nonspecific, but can be life-threatening.
CHF, respiratory distress, hypotension, malaise/weakness, coma.
Chronic deficiency leads to rickets in childern and osteomalacia in adults. |
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Term
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Definition
| Uncommon in practice. Drowsiness, hyporeflexia==>neuromuscular, respiratory, and cardiac collapse. |
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Term
| What causes HYPERmagnesemia? |
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Definition
Administration of magnesium-containing antacids in the presence of renal failure.
Administration of large doses of magnesium sulfate for eclampsia or preeclampsia. |
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Term
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Definition
| Common in practice, but S/S very diffuse and non-specific; therefore, often overlooked. Can cause hypocalcemia, seizures, paresthesias Can cause wide array of respiratory, muscular, and cardiac symptoms (again, very non-specific, easily overlooked). |
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Term
| What can cause HYPOmagnesemia? |
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Definition
| Insufficient dietary intake (especially in chronic alcoholics) Intestinal malabsorption conditions Continuous vomiting Nasogastric suctioning |
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Term
| Treatment for hypomagnesemia? |
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Definition
| Magnesium oxide (oral) Magnesium sulfate (IV). |
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Term
| Treatment for hypophosphatemia? |
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Definition
Phosphate replacement.
Usually oral doses, 2000-4000 grams/day, divided doses. |
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Term
| What are the 5 general mechanisms that result in hypocalcemia? |
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Definition
| 1:Reduction in serum binding proteins (albumin); 2:Increase in serum phosphate; 3:increase in renal calcium excretion; 4:reduction in intestinal calcium absorption; 5:loss of calcium from the ECF into the bone. |
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Term
| What is the connection between osteomalacia and rickets? |
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Definition
| They are the same disease. It is called "rickets" in children with open growth plates; It is called osteomalacia in adults. |
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Term
| What are the causes of osteomalacia/rickets? |
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Definition
| Hypophosphatemia (common cause); Hypocalcemia (rare cause); Deficiency in vitamin D (common). |
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Term
| Rickets is rare in the United States. True or False? |
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Definition
| False. Both rickets and osteomalacia are common in the U.S. and the rest of the world. |
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