Diagnostic Tests for Hypocalcemia
Hypocalcemia: Diagnostic Tests
The list of diagnostic tests
mentioned in various sources as
used in the diagnosis of Hypocalcemia
includes:
- Blood phosphate level
- Blood calcium level
Hypocalcemia Tests: Book Excerpts
Hypocalcemia Diagnosis: Book Excerpts
Diagnostic Tests for Hypocalcemia: Online Medical Books
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for more information about the diagnostic tests for Hypocalcemia.
HYPOCALCEMIA:
DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
(Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
CBC, urinalysis, chemistry panel, 24-hr urine calcium, PTH assay, serum protein electrophoresis,
serum 25-OH vitamin D3
, skeletal survey, bone scan,
d
-xylose absorption test, serum 1,25-(OH)
2
vitamin D, and an endocrinology consult should be considered in the workup. Pseudohypoparathyroidism can be further differentiated from primary hypoparathyroidism by the Ellsworth-Howard test, which involves injecting parathyroid hormone intravenously. The blood values of calcium and phosphorus will improve in primary hypoparathyroidism but remain the same in pseudohypoparathyroidism. There is a phosphate diuresis in primary hypoparathyroidism.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, 2003
Chvostek's sign:
History and physical examination
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
Obtain a brief history. Find out if the patient has had his parathyroid glands surgically removed or if he has a history of hypoparathyroidism, hypomagnesemia, or a malabsorption disorder. Ask him or his family if they have noticed any changes in the patient's mental status, such as depression or slowed responses, which can accompany chronic hypocalcemia.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Carpopedal spasm:
History and physical examination
(Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition))
If the patient isn't in distress, obtain a detailed history. Ask about the onset and duration of the spasms and ask for a description of pain they produce. Also ask about related signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia, such as numbness and tingling of the fingertips and feet, other muscle cramps or spasms, and nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Check for previous neck surgery, calcium or magnesium deficiency, tetanus exposure, and hypoparathyroidism.
During the history, form a general impression of the patient's mental status and behavior. If possible, ask family members or friends if they've noticed changes in the patient's behavior. Mental confusion or even personality changes may occur with hypocalcemia.
Inspect the patient's skin and fingernails, noting dryness or scaling and ridged, brittle nails.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Handbook of Signs & Symptoms (Third Edition), 2006
Chvostek's sign:
History and physical examination
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
Obtain a brief history. Find out if the patient has had the parathyroid glands surgically removed or if he has a history of hypoparathyroidism, hypomagnesemia, or malabsorption disorder. Ask him or his family if they have noticed any mental changes, such as depression or slowed responses, which can accompany chronic hypocalcemia.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Carpopedal spasm:
History and physical examination
(Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition))
If the patient isn’t in distress, obtain a detailed history. Ask about the onset and duration of the spasms and the degree of pain they produce. Also ask about related signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia, such as numbness and tingling of the fingertips and feet, other muscle cramps or spasms, and nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Check for previous neck surgery, calcium or magnesium deficiency, tetanus exposure, and hypoparathyroidism.
During the history, form a general impression of the patient’s mental status and behavior. If possible, ask family members or friends if they’ve noticed changes in the patient’s behavior because hypocalcemia can cause confusion and even personality changes.
Inspect the patient’s skin and fingernails, noting any dryness or scaling and ridged, brittle nails.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Professional Guide to Signs & Symptoms (Fifth Edition), 2006
Chvostek's sign:
Physical assessment
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
During your assessment, observe the patient’s behavior. Anxiety and irritability may signal hypocalcemia. Also observe him for seizures, tetany, and facial spasms. Observe his skin for dryness or scaling, brittle nails, and dry hair. Take your patient’s vital signs. Be alert for an irregular pulse and hypotension, which suggests low calcium levels. Auscultate the patient’s lungs. Note any signs of bronchospasm, laryngospasm, and airway obstruction. Increased GI motility produces hyperactive bowel sounds.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Carpopedal spasm:
Physical assessment
(Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses)
Take the patient’s vital signs. Hypocalcemia may result in hypotension and an irregular heart rhythm. Check for Chvostek’s sign, also an indicator of hypocalcemia. Then proceed to perform a complete physical examination. Inspect the patient’s skin and fingernails, noting any dryness or scaling or ridged, brittle nails caused by hypocalcemia.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Signs & Symptoms: A 2-in-1 Reference for Nurses, 2007
Chvostek's sign:
History and physical examination
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
Obtain a brief history. Find out if the patient has had his parathyroid glands surgically removed or if he has a history of hypoparathyroidism, hypomagnesemia, or a malabsorption disorder. Ask him or his family if they have noticed changes in the patient's mental status, such as depression or slowed responses, which can accompany chronic hypocalcemia. Ask the patient if he has experienced any numbness and tingling in his fingers, toes, or around his mouth. Also ask him about muscle twitching or cramping.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
Carpopedal spasm:
History and physical examination
(Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms)
If the patient isn't in distress, obtain a detailed history. Ask about the onset and duration of the spasms and ask for a description of pain they produce. Also ask about related signs and symptoms of hypocalcemia, such as numbness and tingling of the fingertips and feet, other muscle cramps or spasms, and nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Check for previous neck surgery, calcium or magnesium deficiency, tetanus exposure, and hypoparathyroidism.
During the history, form a general impression of the patient's mental status and behavior. If possible, ask family members or friends if they've noticed changes in the patient's behavior. Mental confusion or even personality changes may occur with hypocalcemia.
Inspect the patient's skin and fingernails, noting dryness or scaling and ridged, brittle nails.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Nursing: Interpreting Signs and Symptoms, 2007
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