The nurse is caring for a child with hypoparathyroidism who demonstrates a carpal spasm when pressure is applied to the upper arm. Which laboratory value should the nurse review?
Potassium.
Chloride.
Sodium.
Calcium.
The Correct Answer is D
Hypoparathyroidism is a disorder in which the parathyroid glands produce insufficient amounts of parathyroid hormone, which regulates calcium and phosphorus levels in the body. In hypoparathyroidism, there is a decreased level of calcium in the blood, which can result in carpal spasm or tetany when pressure is applied to the upper arm.
Therefore, the nurse should review the child's calcium level (D) to determine if it is within the normal range. Low calcium levels can cause muscle spasms, seizures, and cardiac arrhythmias. Hypocalcemia may also result in other symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and muscle cramps.
Potassium (A), chloride (B), and sodium (C) are electrolytes that play important roles in various physiological processes in the body, but they are not directly related to the development of carpal spasm in a child with hypoparathyroidism. While hypokalemia (low potassium) or hyponatremia (low sodium) can cause muscle weakness or cramps, these conditions are not typically associated with carpal spasm in hypoparathyroidism.
Nursing Test Bank
Naxlex Comprehensive Predictor Exams
Related Questions
Correct Answer is B
Explanation
Biliary atresia is a condition that can cause jaundice in newborns and infants, and it can also lead to tea-colored urine due to the presence of bilirubin in the urine. Infants with biliary atresia require further assessment and treatment, including possible surgery, to prevent liver damage and other complications.
A. Intussusception is a condition in which a part of the intestine folds into itself, causing an obstruction, but it does not typically present with jaundice or tea-colored urine.
C. Hirschsprung's disease is a congenital condition that affects the large intestine and can cause bowel obstruction, but it also does not typically present with jaundice or tea-colored urine.
D. Huntington's disease is a genetic neurological disorder that typically does not present in infants and does not cause jaundice or tea-colored urine.
Correct Answer is D
Explanation
The absence of continuous headaches in the child indicates that the VP shunt is functioning normally. A VP shunt is used to treat hydrocephalus by draining excess cerebrospinal fluid from the brain to the abdomen. If the shunt is functioning properly, it should relieve pressure on the brain and reduce symptoms such as headaches. The other options (A, B, and C) do not directly indicate whether the shunt is functioning normally or not.
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