hypocalcemia decrease clotting time?

[chikah_dorah]

i was answering questions in free nclex 500. there was this question:

The nurse is caring for a client with chronic renal failure. The laboratory results indicate hypocalcemia and hyperphosphatemia. When assessing the client, the nurse should be alert for which of the following?

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[TD=width: 10px, align: center]1. [/TD]

[TD=align: left]Trousseau's sign[/TD]

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[TD=width: 10px, align: center]2. [/TD]

[TD=align: left]Cardiac arrhythmias[/TD]

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[TD=width: 10px, align: center]3. [/TD]

[TD=align: left]Constipation[/TD]

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[TD=width: 10px, align: center]4. [/TD]

[TD=align: left]Decreased clotting time[/TD]

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[TD=width: 10px, align: center]5. [/TD]

[TD=align: left]Drowsiness and lethargy[/TD]

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[TD=width: 10px, align: center]6. [/TD]

[TD=align: left]Fractures[/TD]

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*my answers were the one i checked. The site says CORRECT answers were Trousseau's sign, cardiac arrythmia, and fracture.... it sayss hypocalcemia increase clotting time.

I don't understand. I learned from my content review that calcium actually binds with "stuff" (i forgot the thing) to heal the wound and produce a clotting effect. So if calcium is low, wouldn't it decrease the clotting time?[/TD]

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[chikah_dorah]

im sorry, i think the checked box didn't appear. anyways, my answers were Trousseau's sign, cardiac arrythmia, and fracture, decrease clotting time..

[Asteria]

if I were to answer this my answer would be,

Trousseau's Sign, Cardiac Arrhythmia, Decrease Coagulation and Fractures.

Hypocalcemia - decrease CA - also decrease coagulation. That is how I understood it.. someone correct me please if I am wrong.

As I am reading your post, I was recalling what I learned from saunders that calcium is responsible for bone formation, blood coagulation, transmission of neuromuscular impulses, maintenance of muscle tone , regulation of exocrine and endocrine glands and also has a inverse effect with phosphorus.

I will have to re-comment when I get back home and check if I am right LOL !.I am not at home right now.

[chikah_dorah]

i totally agree. i think i read that on saunders too, about Ca having an effect in coagulation process.

[Asteria]

hmm, thats weird, are there any explanations in the rationale? why increase with hypocalcemia?

[EricJRN, MSN, RN]

It's increased clotting time, which indicates a decreased ability to clot. Unless I just haven't had enough coffee yet.

[chikah_dorah]

OMG.. yes.. i just got the point.. low calcium will decrease the ability to clot which, in turn INCREASE clotting time. lol.. i think i over analyze the problem.

[chikah_dorah]

hi, i EricJRN is right... low calcium will increase clotting time since there is not enough calcium to help with the clotting process..