A total calcium of 12.0 mg/dL indicates which condition?

Enhance your nursing skills with our Lab Values for Nurses Test. Study essential lab value ranges with multiple choice questions. Ready yourself for success!

Multiple Choice

A total calcium of 12.0 mg/dL indicates which condition?

Explanation:
Interpreting total calcium hinges on the normal range. Total calcium normally sits about 8.5–10.5 mg/dL. A value of 12.0 mg/dL is higher than normal, so this is hypercalcemia. Hypocalcemia would be a value below the normal range, and normocalcemia would be within it. The option about hypophosphatemia isn’t about calcium status at all, since it refers to phosphate levels. Hypercalcemia can arise from causes like overactivity of the parathyroid glands, certain cancers with bone involvement, excessive vitamin D, or some medications. In practice, you’d confirm with a repeat test, consider albumin levels (since total calcium can be affected by albumin), and assess for symptoms and underlying causes.

Interpreting total calcium hinges on the normal range. Total calcium normally sits about 8.5–10.5 mg/dL. A value of 12.0 mg/dL is higher than normal, so this is hypercalcemia. Hypocalcemia would be a value below the normal range, and normocalcemia would be within it. The option about hypophosphatemia isn’t about calcium status at all, since it refers to phosphate levels. Hypercalcemia can arise from causes like overactivity of the parathyroid glands, certain cancers with bone involvement, excessive vitamin D, or some medications. In practice, you’d confirm with a repeat test, consider albumin levels (since total calcium can be affected by albumin), and assess for symptoms and underlying causes.

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