Sun28November0440PM 10

Is it true that hypocalcaemia is associated with the following?

True / False

Bronchodilatation Incorrect answer selected

Prolonged QT interval Correct

Voice changes Incorrect answer selected

Hemiballismus Correct

Bradycardia Correct

Explanation

The total calcium concentration in the plasma is 4.5-5.1 mEq/L (9-10.2 mg/dL). Of plasma calcium:

50% is ionised

40% is bound to proteins (90% of which binds to albumin), and

10% circulates bound to anions (for example, phosphate, carbonate, citrate, lactate, sulfate).

With hypocalcaemia, neuromuscular, neural and cardiovascular abnormalities predominate. Neural hyperexcitability causes smooth and skeletal muscle contractions.

Neural findings include:

Dementia or overt psychosis

Irritability

Confusion

Hallucinations

Extrapyramidal manifestations (including hemiballismus), and

Seizures.

Cardiovascular findings include:

Bradycardia/tachycardia

Signs of heart failure

Prolongation of QT interval

Refractory hypotension, and

Arrhythmias

Voice change can result from laryngeal muscle abnormalities that may lead to laryngospam.

Reference:

Medscape. Hypocalcemia.

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Average score: 70.81%

Times answered: 272