A nurse is caring for a client who has hypocalcemia. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Explanation & Rationale
A. Muscle flaccidity: Hypocalcemia typically causes muscle twitching or spasms, not flaccidity. Muscle flaccidity is more often associated with conditions like hyperkalemia or electrolyte imbalances affecting muscle tone in different ways. B. Lethargy: Lethargy can occur in various conditions, but it is not a hallmark of hypocalcemia. Instead, hypocalcemia usually causes symptoms like irritability, confusion, and muscle cramps rather than general lethargy. C. Constipation: Constipation is more commonly associated with hypercalcemia, not hypocalcemia. Low calcium levels tend to cause neuromuscular and cardiac symptoms rather than gastrointestinal issues like constipation. D. Positive Chvostek's sign: A positive Chvostek's sign, which is a twitching of the facial muscles when tapping the facial nerve, is a classic sign of hypocalcemia. It indicates increased neuromuscular excitability, which is characteristic of low calcium levels.