Final answer:
Hypercalcemia can be caused by multiple myeloma, hyperphosphatemia, primary hyperparathyroidism, and some malignancies in hospitalized patients.
Step-by-step explanation:
Hypercalcemia, or abnormally high levels of calcium in the blood, can be caused by several factors in hospitalized patients. One cause is multiple myeloma, a type of cancer that can lead to hypercalcemia. Another cause is hyperphosphatemia, which is associated with reduced phosphate excretion and vitamin D3 deficiency. In addition, hypercalcemia can be seen in primary hyperparathyroidism and some malignancies.
Example: A patient with multiple myeloma may experience hypercalcemia due to the cancer affecting the regulation of calcium levels in the body. This can lead to symptoms such as lethargy, constipation, and confusion.
Therefore, it is important for healthcare providers to monitor calcium levels in hospitalized patients to identify and address any potential causes of hypercalcemia.