A nurse is caring for a client who has a positive Trousseau's sign and bone pain. Which of the following electrolyte imbalances should the nurse suspect to find with this client?

A. Hyperkalemia: Hyperkalemia involves elevated potassium levels, which can cause muscle weakness, cardiac arrhythmias, and other symptoms, but it is not associated with Trousseau's sign or bone pain.

B. Hypermagnesemia: Hypermagnesemia, an elevated magnesium level, typically causes symptoms such as muscle weakness and respiratory depression, but not Trousseau's sign or bone pain.

C. Hypocalcemia: Hypocalcemia, characterized by low calcium levels, is commonly associated with a positive Trousseau's sign (spasms induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff) and bone pain due to calcium's role in bone health and neuromuscular function.

D. Hyponatremia: Hyponatremia refers to low sodium levels, which can cause symptoms like confusion, seizures, and lethargy, but it is not related to Trousseau's sign or bone pain.

A. Respiratory alkalosis: Respiratory alkalosis is generally associated with hyperventilation and is not directly caused by tension pneumothorax. In tension pneumothorax, the primary issues are related to pressure changes within the thoracic cavity, not respiratory alkalosis.

B. Increased venous return: In tension pneumothorax, venous return is actually decreased due to the increased intrathoracic pressure compressing the great vessels, which impedes blood flow back to the heart.

C. Decreased cardiac output: Tension pneumothorax causes a significant increase in intrathoracic pressure, leading to compression of the heart and great vessels, which results in decreased venous return and ultimately decreased cardiac output. This is a critical and life-threatening consequence of tension pneumothorax.

D. Dilated ventricles: Dilated ventricles are more commonly seen in chronic heart conditions such as heart failure, rather than in acute tension pneumothorax. Tension pneumothorax typically results in reduced ventricular filling rather than dilation.