Corrected Calcium

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Specializes in ICU, Geri, Education.

Hey gang,

Hope all is well with everyone. In clinicals (I am in a nursing intern program) corrected calciums came up. I don't think I heard about this in nursing school. I've done some research, and all I can find is clinical study information and the formula which is:

corrected cal = serum cal. + 0.8 (4- serum albumin).

Could someone kindly explain to the new nurse (me, ; ) what this means and why we might see it being done?

Thanks ever so much!!,

Sunnie

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This is used to estimate the true (physiologically active) calcium level if the albumin were to be within normal limits. Patients with hypoalbuminemia will have a false-low serum calcium level on chemistries, due to albumin-bound calcium. An ionized calcium is a more accurate test.

Keep in mind that even if you have a patient with a "normal" serum calcium level, if they also are hypoalbuminemic they may actually be hypercalcemic.

If you Google "corrected calcium", you'll find links to calculators.

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emmanuel knows what she speaks of.

here we go:

http://www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calcium_homeostasis

leslie

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Specializes in ICU, Geri, Education.

Emmanuel and Leslie,

I now have an understanding of how this related to my pt's clinical picture.

Thank you sooooo much. Tomorrow during post conferance I will be able to speak on the matter more intellegently.

Again thanks for such a rapid reply!

Sunnie

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