Hypercalcemia and Hypocalcemia: Diagnosis & Management

Which factor primarily differentiates the clinical presentation of hypercalcemia in malignancy compared to primary hyperparathyroidism?

Why is it critical to review a patient's current medications when managing hypercalcemia?

What is the most critical determinant in deciding the urgency and intensity of treatment for hypercalcemia?

Why are thiazide diuretics and lithium therapy considered aggravating factors in patients with hypercalcemia?

When should an asymptomatic individual with moderate hypercalcemia receive immediate treatment?

A patient presents with hypocalcemia and elevated PTH levels. Which of the following conditions is least likely to be the primary cause?

Which of the following mechanisms primarily explains hypocalcemia in acute pancreatitis?

A patient with end-stage renal disease presents with hypocalcemia. Which of the following factors contributes most directly to this electrolyte imbalance?

Which of the following scenarios is most likely to present with hypocalcemia despite elevated PTH levels?

Why should the serum calcium result be verified with a corrected calcium level?

A patient is diagnosed with hypocalcemia secondary to hypomagnesemia. What is the most critical initial step in managing this patient's condition?

A patient presents with hypercalcemia. After confirming the elevated calcium level and obtaining a PTH measurement, which scenario would suggest a PTH-independent cause of hypercalcemia?

Which condition associated with high PTH results from decreased renal production of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D?

A patient presents with a serum calcium level of 2.8 mmol/L and an albumin level of 20 g/L. Assuming a normal albumin level of 40 g/L, what is the corrected calcium level, and how would this be classified?

Which of the following scenarios would directly lead to decreased secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH)?

A researcher is investigating the effects of a novel drug on calcium homeostasis. The drug increases the sensitivity of parathyroid glands to calcium. Which of the following is the most likely outcome?

During a medical review, a patient's lab results show hypocalcemia alongside normal albumin levels. What is the immediate next best step in the evaluation of this patient?

A patient with chronic kidney disease presents with hypocalcemia. Which of the following mechanisms is the most likely cause of the patient's low calcium levels?

A patient is diagnosed with primary hyperparathyroidism due to a parathyroid adenoma. What pathophysiological process contributes most significantly to the resulting hypercalcemia?

A patient with known hypercalcemia develops acute pancreatitis. Which of the following mechanisms best explains how hypercalcemia contributes to the pathogenesis of pancreatitis?

A patient presents with muscle cramps, tetany, and seizures. Initial blood work reveals hypocalcemia. Further investigation suggests the patient has decreased sensitivity of their calcium-sensing receptors (CaSRs). Which of the following best describes the expected compensatory response in this patient?

Which of the following best explains the mechanism by which chronic hypercalcemia contributes to nephrolithiasis or nephrocalcinosis?

A patient with long-standing primary hyperparathyroidism develops hypertension and cardiomyopathy. What is the most likely pathophysiological mechanism linking hypercalcemia to these cardiovascular complications?

Why does hypocalcemia prolong the QT interval on an ECG?

What best describes the underlying cause of tetany in hypocalcemia?

In a patient presenting with seizures secondary to hypocalcemia, what characteristic EEG findings would support this etiology?

Which of the following is the MOST appropriate initial therapy for a patient presenting with severe hypercalcemia?

A patient with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is found to have asymptomatic hypocalcemia. Which of the following approaches is MOST appropriate as the initial step in managing their condition?

Familial hypocalciuric hypercalcemia (FHH) is caused by a mutation affecting calcium sensing receptors. How does this mutation lead to hypercalcemia?

A patient with sarcoidosis develops hypercalcemia. What is the most likely mechanism by which sarcoidosis causes hypercalcemia?

A patient with hypocalcemia and neuromuscular irritability (paresthesias) has a corrected serum calcium concentration of 2.0 mmol/L. What is the MOST suitable initial treatment strategy?

In a patient with hypocalcemia caused by hypoparathyroidism, what additional treatment is MOST likely required alongside calcium supplementation to achieve a sustained increase in serum calcium levels?

Which of the following factors distinguishes hypercalcemia caused by malignancy from primary hyperparathyroidism?

A patient is diagnosed with both hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia. Which intervention should be prioritized?

A patient with chronic hypocalcemia is scheduled for a complex surgical procedure requiring prolonged recuperation and is currently managed with oral calcium supplements. Which of the following is the MOST appropriate adjustment to their treatment plan?

What is the MOST important initial step in evaluating a patient's calcium level?

Apart from PTH levels, which additional factor is MOST critical to consider when determining the treatment approach for hypercalcemia or hypocalcemia?

Which of the following best explains why hypercalcemia can lead to polyuria and polydipsia?

A patient presents with muscle cramping, perioral paresthesia, and carpopedal spasm. Which of the following underlying mechanisms is MOST likely responsible for these findings?

Why does hypocalcemia lead to QT prolongation on an ECG?

What is the primary mechanism by which parathyroid hormone (PTH) increases serum calcium levels in response to hypocalcemia?

Which of the following is the MOST likely explanation for why hypercalcemia can cause constipation?

Why might chronic hypocalcemia lead to basal ganglia calcification and extrapyramidal disorders?

A patient with hypercalcemia develops pancreatitis. Which of the following mechanisms BEST explains this association?

What is the mechanism behind Trousseau's sign in hypocalcemia?