Author Question: A client who is experiencing no symptoms of a low calcium level asks why calcium is important. How ... (Read 31 times)

ishan · **on:** Jul 23, 2018

A client who is experiencing no symptoms of a low calcium level asks why calcium is important. How should the nurse respond?

Standard Text: Select all that apply.
1. Calcium is needed to keep the nervous system working properly.
2. Calcium is used by the body to make the muscles move.
3. Calcium is used in the blood to help with clotting.
4. Calcium maintains the normal respiratory rate.
5. Calcium is needed to control blood glucose levels.

Question 2

What would the nurse identify as a priority diagnosis for a client with osteoporosis?

1. Activity Intolerance related to inadequate nutrition and anemia
2. Injury, Risk for related to loss of bone calcium
3. Infection, Risk for related to impaired host defenses
4. Constipation related to side effects of calcium replacement therapy

jxjsniuniu · **Reply #1 on:** Jul 23, 2018

Answer to Question 1

Correct Answer: 1,2,3
Rationale 1: In the nervous system, calcium ions influence the release of neurotransmitters and the excitability of all neurons.
Rationale 2: Contraction is dependent on calcium ion movement in skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle cells.
Rationale 3: Calcium is important for blood coagulation; it converts prothrombin into thrombin.
Rationale 4: Calcium is not responsible for maintaining the normal respiratory rate.
Rationale 5: Calcium is not responsible for blood glucose control.
Global Rationale: In the nervous system, calcium ions influence the release of neurotransmitters and the excitability of all neurons. Contraction is dependent on calcium ion movement in skeletal, smooth, and cardiac muscle cells. Calcium is important for blood coagulation; it converts prothrombin into thrombin. Calcium is not responsible for maintaining the normal respiratory rate or for blood glucose control.

Answer to Question 2

Correct Answer: 2
Rationale 1: Osteoporosis occurs, particularly after menopause, as a result of unbalanced bone resorption and bone formation. It does not necessarily lead to activity intolerance.
Rationale 2: The client who has osteoporosis is at increased risk for injury from falls and resulting fractures.
Rationale 3: Host defenses are not impaired with osteoporosis.
Rationale 4: Constipation is an adverse effect of some calcium replacement therapies, but it is not a priority.
Global Rationale: The client who has osteoporosis is at increased risk for injury from falls and resulting fractures. Osteoporosis occurs, particularly after menopause, as a result of unbalanced bone resorption and bone formation. It does not necessarily lead to activity intolerance. Host defenses are not impaired with osteoporosis. Constipation is an adverse effect of some calcium replacement therapies, but it is not a priority.