A patient has the following laboratory values: sodium level,145 mmol/L (145 mEq/L);potassium level,4.5 mmol/L (4.5 mEq/L);calcium level,1.05 mmol/L (4.5 mg/dL).What would the nurse expect to find in the assessment?
A)Lightheadedness when the patient stands up.
B)Weak quadriceps muscles.
C)Tingling of the extremities and tetany.
D)Decreased deep tendon reflexes.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

This patient has hypocalcemia;the normal calcium range is 2.25 to 2.75 mmol/L (8.4 to 10.5 mg/dL).Sodium and potassium values are within their normal ranges (sodium,135 to 145 mmol/L [135 to 145 mEq/L];potassium,3.5 to 5.0 mmol/L [3.5 to 5.0 mEq/L]).Hypocalcemia causes muscle tetany,Trousseau's sign,and tingling of the extremities.Lightheadedness when a patient stands up is a manifestation of ECV deficit or sometimes hypokalemia.Weak quadriceps muscles are associated with potassium imbalances.Decreased deep tendon reflexes are related to hypercalcemia or hypermagnesemia.

A Patient Has the Following Laboratory Values: Sodium Level,145 Mmol/L