Hypocalcemia: Understanding Calcium Levels in the Blood
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Questions and Answers

What is the primary function of calcium in the human body?

  • To facilitate apoptosis in cells
  • To maintain the structure of bones (correct)
  • To transport oxygen throughout the body
  • To regulate the electrical membrane potential in nerve cells

    • What is the ionized form of calcium in the blood?

  • Ca2+ (correct)
  • Ca+
  • Ca2-
  • Ca3+

    • What percentage of calcium in the human body is found in bones?

  • 99% (correct)
  • 90%
  • 95%
  • 99.9%

    • What type of channels are primarily controlled by hormones or neurotransmitters?

    <p>Ligand-gated channels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of high levels of intracellular calcium?

    <p>Cell death</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the remaining 1% of calcium in the human body that is not found in bones?

    <p>Extracellular calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of low calcium levels in the blood?

    <p>Hypoparathyroidism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is necessary for parathyroid hormone production?

    <p>Magnesium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the involuntary contraction of muscles due to low calcium levels?

    <p>Tetany</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of low extracellular calcium on voltage-gated sodium channels?

    <p>Destabilizing them</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the diagnosis of hypocalcemia based on?

    <p>A low level of calcium in the blood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main goal of treatment in hypocalcemia?

    <p>Normalizing calcium levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the twitching of facial muscles after the facial nerve is lightly finger tapped?

    <p>Chvostek's sign</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the muscle spasm that makes the wrist and metacarpophalangeal joints flex?

    <p>Trousseau's sign</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of ionized calcium binding to phosphate?

    <p>Decreasing calcium levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of too many blood transfusions on ionized calcium levels?

    <p>A decrease in ionized calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of ATP-dependent calcium pumps in cells?

    <p>To prevent calcium levels from getting too high</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where is the majority of intracellular calcium stored?

    <p>Mitochondria and smooth endoplasmic reticulum</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the calcium-sensing receptor in parathyroid cells?

    <p>To detect changes in extracellular calcium levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of parathyroid hormone released by the parathyroid gland?

    <p>To release calcium from bones and kidneys</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of high pH (alkalosis) on albumin and calcium levels in the blood?

    <p>Decreased free-ionized calcium and increased bound calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the condition in which total calcium levels appear low due to low albumin levels, but free-ionized calcium levels are normal?

    <p>Pseudohypocalcemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of complexed calcium in the blood?

    <p>To neutralize the electrical charge of calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the normal range of extracellular calcium levels in the blood?

    <p>8.5-10 mg/dl</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of hypoalbuminemia on calcium levels in the blood?

    <p>Decreased total calcium levels and increased free-ionized calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What are the two possibilities for developing true hypocalcemia?

    <p>Less calcium entering the blood and too much calcium leaving the blood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What percentage of calcium is found in the bones of the human body?

    <p>99%</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of ligand-gated channels in cells?

    <p>To control the flow of calcium into cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the process of programmed cell death?

    <p>Apoptosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of ATP-dependent calcium pumps in cells?

    <p>To regulate calcium levels in cells</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the range of normal calcium levels in the blood?

    <p>8.5-10 mg/dL</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the ionically linked calcium molecule that is electrically neutral and can cross cell membranes?

    <p>Complexed calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the role of the parathyroid hormone in regulating calcium levels?

    <p>To increase calcium levels in the blood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the receptor that detects changes in extracellular calcium levels?

    <p>Calcium-sensing receptor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of voltage-gated channels in cells?

    <p>To maintain the electrical membrane potential</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the form of calcium that is bound to negatively charged proteins like albumin and globulin?

    <p>Non-diffusible calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What happens to the bound calcium in the blood when there's a low pH?

    <p>It decreases due to the repulsion between positively charged albumin and calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of hyperalbuminemia on free ionized calcium concentrations in the blood?

    <p>It has no effect on the concentration of free ionized calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the most common cause of true hypercalcemia?

    <p>Increased osteoclastic bone resorption</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of high levels of ionized calcium on voltage-gated sodium channels?

    <p>They are less likely to open up</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of hypercalciuria in the kidneys?

    <p>It leads to a loss of excess fluid</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the typical diagnostic range for hypercalcemia in the blood?

    <p>Above 10.5 mg/dL</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of hypercalcemia on muscle contraction?

    <p>It decreases muscle contraction speed</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of hypercalcemia on the central nervous system?

    <p>It causes confusion, hallucinations, and stupor</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the condition where the concentration of bound calcium increases, but the concentration of free ionized calcium stays the same?

    <p>Pseudohypercalcemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of thiazide diuretics on calcium levels in the blood?

    <p>They increase calcium reabsorption in the distal tubule</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of the 0.99% of extracellular calcium in the human body?

    <p>To regulate muscle and nerve function</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of high levels of calcium in the interstitial space between cells?

    <p>Increased apoptosis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism by which cells regulate their intracellular calcium levels?

    <p>By using ATP-dependent calcium pumps</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the 0.01% of intracellular calcium in the human body?

    <p>To facilitate cell signaling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary difference between ligand-gated and voltage-gated channels in the cell membrane?

    <p>Ligand-gated channels are primarily controlled by hormones, while voltage-gated channels are primarily controlled by electrical membrane potential</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of low levels of extracellular calcium on muscle contraction?

    <p>Decreased muscle contraction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of sodium-calcium exchangers in cells?

    <p>To remove excess calcium from the cell</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of a decrease in pH on the concentration of free-ionized calcium in the blood?

    <p>It increases the concentration of free-ionized calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the calcium-sensing receptor in parathyroid cells?

    <p>To detect changes in extracellular calcium levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the condition in which total calcium levels appear normal, but free-ionized calcium levels are low?

    <p>Pseudohypocalcemia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of ATP-dependent calcium pumps in cells?

    <p>To remove excess calcium from the cell</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of an increase in albumin levels on the concentration of free-ionized calcium in the blood?

    <p>It decreases the concentration of free-ionized calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the form of calcium that is involved in cellular processes like neuronal action potentials and muscle contraction?

    <p>Free-ionized calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of parathyroid hormone released by the parathyroid gland?

    <p>To increase the concentration of free-ionized calcium in the blood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of a decrease in parathyroid hormone levels on the concentration of free-ionized calcium in the blood?

    <p>It decreases the concentration of free-ionized calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the process by which the body regulates the concentration of extracellular calcium levels?

    <p>Homeostasis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism by which tissue injury leads to hypocalcemia?

    <p>Intracellular phosphate release binds to ionized calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a cause of hypocalcemia due to too much calcium leaving the blood?

    <p>Kidney failure</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of low ionized calcium levels on voltage-gated sodium channels?

    <p>They become less stable and more likely to open</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary goal of treatment in hypocalcemia?

    <p>To normalize calcium levels in the blood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of citrate and EDTA in blood transfusions on ionized calcium levels?

    <p>They decrease ionized calcium levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the facial muscle twitching that occurs when the facial nerve is lightly tapped?

    <p>Chvostek's sign</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following is a cause of hypocalcemia due to low calcium entering the blood?

    <p>Hypoparathyroidism</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of Na+-Ca2+ exchangers in cells?

    <p>To pump excess calcium out of the cell</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of low ionized calcium levels on electrically active neurons?

    <p>They become more excitable</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of hypocalcemia in the majority of cases?

    <p>Low calcium entering the blood</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of a decrease in blood pH on the binding of calcium to albumin?

    <p>Decreased binding of calcium to albumin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary function of ligand-gated channels in bone cells?

    <p>To regulate the release of calcium from bones</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the muscle spasm that occurs when the blood pressure cuff occludes the brachial artery?

    <p>Trousseau's sign</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the consequence of high levels of calcium in the mitochondria?

    <p>Increased cell death</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the smooth endoplasmic reticulum in regulating calcium levels?

    <p>To store calcium and release it selectively</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of a decrease in parathyroid hormone on calcium levels in the blood?

    <p>Decreased calcium levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of ATP-dependent calcium pumps in muscle cells?

    <p>To pump excess calcium out of the cell</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of an increase in extracellular calcium on voltage-gated calcium channels?

    <p>Increased flow of calcium into the cell</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the function of the parathyroid gland in regulating calcium levels?

    <p>To regulate all of the above</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the term for the calcium molecule that is ionically linked to oxalate?

    <p>Complexed calcium</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of a low pH on the binding of calcium to albumin?

    <p>Calcium is released from albumin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of false hypercalcemia?

    <p>High albumin levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of high levels of ionized calcium on electrically active neurons?

    <p>It makes it harder for neurons to reach depolarization</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of overstimulated osteoclasts without enough osteoblasts?

    <p>Lytic bone lesions</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism by which the kidneys respond to high levels of calcium in the blood?

    <p>Increased calcium excretion in the urine</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of hyperalbuminemia on total calcium levels in the blood?

    <p>It increases total calcium levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary cause of hypercalcemia in people with dehydration?

    <p>High albumin levels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the effect of high levels of ionized calcium on muscle contraction?

    <p>It slows down muscle contraction</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary mechanism by which calcium affects cellular processes?

    <p>It affects voltage-gated sodium channels</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the result of the combination of hypercalciuria and dehydration?

    <p>Kidney stones</p> Signup and view all the answers

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