Diagnosis and management of patients with hypercalcaemia.
Hypercalcaemia is a common biochemical abnormality in the blood that can be caused by malignancy, hyperparathyroidism, medications or underlying medical conditions. Initial signs and symptoms are often vague, however, if someone has severe hypercalcaemia it is treated as an emergency, requiring prompt management to prevent life-threatening complications such as dehydration, cardiac arrhythmias or coma. Understanding the pathophysiology, signs and symptoms of hypercalcaemia enables effective diagnosis and holistic management of the patient with complex health needs.
Queen's Medical Centre, Division of Orthopaedic Trauma and Sports Medicine, Nottingham.
Jennie
J
Walker
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002118:Calcium / Q000097:blood; D019468:Disease Management; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D006934:Hypercalcemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000451:nursing*; D008875:Middle Aged; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic
D002118:Calcium
Biochemical abnormalities; cancer; dehydration; endocrine disease; hypercalcaemia; hyperparathyroidism