The nurse is assessing a client who is diagnosed with hypocalcemia. What findings does the nurse anticipate?

1. Hypertension and tachycardia
2. Muscle weakness and bone pain
3. Bleeding problems or bruising
4. Muscle twitching or tremor


Correct Answer: 4

Rationale 1: Hypertension and tachycardia is incorrect. Hypocalcemia can cause excitability, and changes on electrocardiogram might be evident in the QRS complex.
Rationale 2: Muscle weakness and bone pain is incorrect. These are symptoms of osteomalacia.
Rationale 3: Bleeding problems or bruising is incorrect. Calcium is also important for blood coagulation, but bleeding and bruising are not evident in hypocalcemia.
Rationale 4: Symptoms of hypocalcemia are nerve and muscle excitability. Muscle twitching, tremors, or cramping might be evident. Numbness and tingling of the extremities can occur, and convulsions are possible. A patient might be confused or behave abnormally.

Global Rationale: Symptoms of hypocalcemia are nerve and muscle excitability. Muscle twitching, tremors, or cramping might be evident. Numbness and tingling of the extremities can occur, and convulsions are possible. A patient might be confused or behave abnormally. Hypertension and tachycardia is incorrect. Hypocalcemia can cause excitability, and changes on electrocardiogram might be evident in the QRS complex. Muscle weakness and bone pain is incorrect. These are symptoms of osteomalacia. Bleeding problems or bruising is incorrect. Calcium is also important for blood coagulation, but bleeding and bruising are not evident in hypocalcemia.

Nursing

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