Word parts
What it means
Too much calciumKAL-see-umA mineral that builds bones and teeth and that nerves, muscles, the heart and blood clotting need to work.Full entry in the blood, a total level above about 10.5 mg/dL. The most common causes are hyperparathyroidismhy-per-pair-uh-THY-roy-diz-umOveractivity of the parathyroid glands, which make too much parathyroid hormone.hyper- excessivepara- besidethyroid -ism conditionFull entry and cancer; others are long bed rest, too much vitamin D or calcium, and some drugs such as thiazide diuretics. High calcium dulls nerves and muscles: weakness, tiredness, constipation, confusion, kidney stones, passing a lot of urine and heart rhythm changes.
For the nurse
Encourage fluids as allowed and walking if possible, strain urine if stones are suspected, and watch the heart rhythm. Clients on digoxin are at higher risk of toxicity when calcium is high.
Remember it
"Stones, bones, groans and moans": kidney stones, bone pain, belly complaints and mental changes.
At a glance
| Normal range | Total calcium 9.0–10.5 mg/dL [2.25–2.62 mmol/L] |
|---|---|
| Spanish | hipercalcemia |
| Also written | hypercalcaemia, hypercalcemic |
Easy to confuse with
hypocalcemia
A blood calcium level below normal.
Related terms
calcium
A mineral that builds bones and teeth and that nerves, muscles, the heart and blood clotting need to work.
hypocalcemia
A blood calcium level below normal.
vitamin D
A fat-soluble vitamin that the skin makes in sunlight and that helps the body absorb calcium for strong bones.
hyperparathyroidism
Overactivity of the parathyroid glands, which make too much parathyroid hormone.