NURS 287 Lecture Notes - Lecture 6: Fludrocortisone, Chvostek Sign, Tetany
28 Apr 2013
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Document Summary
Hypoparathyroidism is rare, and results from inadequate circulating pth. It is characterized by hypocalcemia resulting from a lack of pth to maintain serum calcium levels. The most common cause is iatrogenic, due to accidental removal of parathyroid glands or damage to these glands during neck surgery. Sudden decreases in serum calcium cause tetany, which is characterized by tingling of lips, fingertips, and increased muscle tension with paresthesias and stiffness. Painful tonic spasms of smooth and skeletal muscles (extremities and face), and laryngospasms and a positive chvostek sign and trousseau sign are usually present. Focus of patient care is to treat tetany, maintain normal serum calcium levels, and prevent long-term complications. Instruction about lifelong treatment and follow-up care includes monitoring of calcium levels. Cushing syndrome is a spectrum of clinical abnormalities caused by excessive corticosteroids, particularly glucocorticoids. The most common cause is iatrogenic administration of exogenous corticosteroids (e. g. , prednisone).
