Following thyroidectomy, which medication is used to treat acute hypocalcemia?

Unlock all questions

This demo includes only 20 questions. Upgrade to access hundreds of questions, flashcards, exam simulations, and disable ads.

Full question bankExam simulationsFlashcards
From $24.99Unlock all

Prepare for the NCLEX exam effectively with our NCLEX Uworld Practice Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with detailed hints and explanations to ensure you're ready for success!

Multiple Choice

Following thyroidectomy, which medication is used to treat acute hypocalcemia?

Explanation:
After thyroidectomy, the parathyroid glands may be damaged or removed, causing a drop in parathyroid hormone and a rapid decrease in calcium. In this acute situation, rapidly raising calcium levels is essential to relieve symptoms like tingling, muscle cramps, and tetany. IV calcium gluconate is the standard treatment because it quickly increases circulating calcium and helps stabilize nerve and muscle excitability. The other options don’t address calcium deficiency: potassium chloride treats low potassium, magnesium sulfate treats low magnesium, and sodium bicarbonate treats metabolic acidosis.

After thyroidectomy, the parathyroid glands may be damaged or removed, causing a drop in parathyroid hormone and a rapid decrease in calcium. In this acute situation, rapidly raising calcium levels is essential to relieve symptoms like tingling, muscle cramps, and tetany. IV calcium gluconate is the standard treatment because it quickly increases circulating calcium and helps stabilize nerve and muscle excitability. The other options don’t address calcium deficiency: potassium chloride treats low potassium, magnesium sulfate treats low magnesium, and sodium bicarbonate treats metabolic acidosis.

More Multiple Choice Questions
Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy