Question

A client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of malabsorption syndrome exhibits signs of tetany. The nurse concludes that the tetany was precipitated by the inadequate absorption of which electrolyte?

Answer 1

Tetany in a client with malabsorption syndrome is indicative of inadequate absorption of calcium, which is exacerbated by a deficiency in activated vitamin D affecting calcium's absorption through the intestines.

Step-by-step explanation:

The nurse's conclusion that the tetany exhibited by the client with malabsorption syndrome is linked to inadequate absorption of an electrolyte is correct. Specifically, the electrolyte in question is calcium. Tetany is a condition often precipitated by a decreased ionized fraction of serum calcium. Calcium absorption is heavily influenced by the presence of activated vitamin D, and a deficiency in vitamin D can lead to a significant drop in absorbed calcium. This can be further exacerbated by malabsorption syndrome, where the gut's ability to absorb nutrients, including calcium, is compromised. The lack of calcium can also lead to bone health issues, such as rickets in children, which is characterized by improper bone development due to malabsorption of calcium and deficiency of vitamin D.