The nurse notes a serum calcium level of 7.9 mg/dL for a patient who has chronic malnutrition. Which action should the nurse take next?

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This patient with chronic malnutrition is likely to have a low serum albumin level,which will affect the total serum calcium. A more accurate reflection of calcium balance is the ionized calcium level. Most of the calcium in the blood is bound to protein (primarily albumin). Alterations in serum albumin levels affect the interpretation of total calcium levels. Low albumin levels result in a drop in the total calcium level,although the level of ionized calcium is not affected. The other actions may be needed if the ionized calcium is also decreased.

The Nurse Notes a Serum Calcium Level of 7