NURS 1260 Miki's Drugs: Calcium Carbonate

Drug Overview

• Generic name: Calcium Carbonate
• Trade name: Tums
• Therapeutic Class: Mineral & Electrolyte replacement/supplements
• Pharmacological Class: Antacids

Indications

• Treats and prevents hypocalcemia
• Helps prevent postmenopausal osteoporosis
• Acts as an antacid

Purpose of Use

• Miki is taking calcium carbonate to prevent further bone density loss due to osteoporosis and to relieve heartburn or GERD symptoms.

Actions

• Essential for proper functioning of nervous, muscular, and skeletal systems
• Maintains cell membrane and capillary permeability
• Activates nerve impulses and muscle contractions
• Crucial for bone formation and blood coagulation

Therapeutic Effects

• Replaces calcium in deficiency states, helping maintain bone health.

Side Effects

• Life-threatening side effects: None reported
• Frequent side effects include:
  • Arrhythmias
  • Constipation
  • Hypercalcemia
• Miki experiences nausea as a side effect.

Important Patient Information

• Miki has dysphagia and is a former smoker.
• She is not taking Vitamin D, which is critical for calcium absorption.
• Concurrently taking alendronate; antacids may decrease its absorption.

Contraindications

• Hypercalcemia
• Renal calculi
• Ventricular fibrillation

Cautions

• Monitor patients on digitalis glycosides
• Consider in cases of severe respiratory insufficiency
• Use cautiously in renal or cardiac disease patients

Nursing Actions

• Monitor for hypocalcemia symptoms: paresthesia, muscle twitching, laryngospasm, colic, arrhythmias, Chvostek's or Trousseau's sign. Ensure patient safety by elevating side rails and keeping the bed low.
• Assess symptoms of heartburn, indigestion, and abdominal pain; inspect abdomen and auscultate bowel sounds.
• Administer medication 1-1.5 hours after meals and at bedtime.
• Dissolve effervescent tablets in water and follow oral doses with a full glass of water.
• Avoid concurrent intake with milk products, bran, cereals, spinach, and rhubarb.
• Advise against taking enteric-coated tablets (like ASA) within 1 hour of calcium carbonate to prevent premature dissolution.
• Do not take within 1-2 hours of other medications if possible.

Client Education

• Inform Miki that this medication strengthens bones and alleviates heartburn and acid reflux symptoms.