Question

A nurse is caring for a client with chronic renal failure. When assessing this client, the nurse should be alert for which of the following that may indicate hypocalcemia? Select all that apply.

Select one or more:

a. Constipation
b. Fractures
c. Trousseau's sign
d. Decreased clotting time
e. Seizures

Answer 1

In cases of hypocalcemia, a nurse should look for Trousseau's sign, fractures, and seizures as indicators, while constipation is associated with hypercalcemia, and decreased clotting time is not typical for hypocalcemia.

Step-by-step explanation:

A nurse caring for a client with chronic renal failure should be alert for signs of hypocalcemia, which may include:

• Trousseau's sign
• Fractures
• Seizures

Constipation is more typically associated with hypercalcemia, which is the opposite condition characterized by abnormally high levels of calcium. Hypocalcemia, on the other hand, can lead to problems with blood coagulation, muscle contraction, nerve functioning, and bone strength. In severe cases of hypocalcemia, there can be issues such as muscle spasms, and an increase in clotting time, but not a decrease. Therefore, options b (Fractures), c (Trousseau's sign), and e (Seizures) are the correct indicators for hypocalcemia.