RT Book, Section
A1 Howland, Mary Ann
A2 Hoffman, Robert S.
A2 Howland, Mary Ann
A2 Lewin, Neal A.
A2 Nelson, Lewis S.
A2 Goldfrank, Lewis R.
SR Print(0)
ID 1108422748
T1 Antidotes in Depth
T2 Goldfrank's Toxicologic Emergencies, 10e
YR 2015
FD 2015
PB McGraw-Hill Education
PP New York, NY
SN 9780071801843
LK accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1108422748
RD 2024/04/19
AB Calcium  is  essential  to  maintain  the  normal  function  of  the  heart,  vascular  smooth  muscle,  skeletal  system,  and  the  nervous  system.  It  is  vital  in  enzymatic  reactions,  in  neurohormonal  transmission,  and  in  the  maintenance  of  cellular  integrity.21  The  endocrine  system  maintains  calcium  homeostasis.  Approximately  half  of  the  total  serum  calcium  is  ionized  and  active,  and  the  remainder  is  primarily  bound  to  albumin.  Hypercalcemia  raises  the  threshold  for  nerve  and  muscle  excitation,  resulting  in  muscle  weakness,  lethargy,  cardiac  conduction  disturbances,  and  coma.21  Hypocalcemia  can  result  in  hyperreflexia,  muscle  spasms,  tetany,  seizures,  and  QT  interval  prolongation  (Chaps.  16  and  19).21