Calcium Carbonate Flashcards

Calcium Carbonate Overview

• Generic Name: Calcium Carbonate; Trade Name: Tums
• Acts as an antacid and a mineral replacement supplement.

Indications

• Treats and prevents hypocalcemia (low calcium levels).
• Prevents postmenopausal osteoporosis.
• Alleviates acid indigestion and heartburn symptoms.
• Manages hyperphosphatemia in end-stage renal disease.

Usage Rationale

• Used for osteoporosis as a mineral replacement to prevent further bone loss and minimize fracture risk.
• Serves as an antacid for persistent heartburn and GERD symptoms.

Mechanism of Action

• Essential for the nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems; aids in cell membrane and capillary permeability.
• Serves as an activator for nerve impulse transmission and muscle contraction.
• Necessary for bone formation and blood coagulation.

Desired Therapeutic Effects

• Replenishes calcium in deficiency states.
• Controls hyperphosphatemia without increasing aluminum absorption.

Critical Side Effects

• Central Nervous System: headache, tingling.
• Cardiovascular: bradycardia, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest.
• Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, constipation.
• Genitourinary: calculi formation, hypercalciuria.

Client-specific Side Effects

• Nausea may be experienced.

Importance to Client

• Client has dysphagia (difficulty swallowing).
• Not currently taking Vitamin D.
• Taking Alendronate for osteoporosis treatment.
• Uses enteric-coated (EC) acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) tablets.

Contraindications

• Not suitable for individuals with hypercalcemia, renal calculi, or ventricular fibrillation.
• Use cautiously in patients with:
  • Digitalis glycosides.
  • Severe respiratory insufficiency.
  • Renal and cardiac disease.

Nursing Actions

• Administer 1-1.5 hours after meals and at bedtime to prevent premature dissolution.
• Crush tablets for clients with dysphagia; ensure effervescent tablets are fully dissolved in thickened water.
• Follow oral doses with a glass of water to aid absorption.

Patient Education

• Regular exercise can halt and even reverse bone loss.
• Medication strengthens bones.
• Monitor for potential constipation side effects.
• Avoid taking with spinach, cereals, or dairy products.
• Aim to separate doses from other medications by at least 1-2 hours if possible.