Which of the following is associated with a sudden decrease in serum calcium levels?
Skeletal manifestations
Increase in phosphate levels
Increased thyroxine and PTH secretion
Increase in excitability of muscle and nerve
Manifestations of acute hypocalcemia includes increased neuromuscular excitability and cardiovascular effects of a decrease in ionized calcium. Nerves exposed to low ionized calcium, levels shows decreased threshold for excitation, repetitive responses to a single stimulus and in extreme cases continuous activity. Increased neuromuscular excitability manifest as paresthesias and tetany. In severe cases laryngeal spasm, seizures and death can occur. Ref: Poh Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States By Ruth A. Hannon, Page 762