Word parts
What it means
Too much phosphate in the blood, usually above 4.5 mg/dL [1.45 mmol/L]. The most common cause is chronic kidney diseaseKRON-ik KID-nee dih-ZEEZKidney damage or reduced kidney function that lasts longer than three months.Full entry , because the kidneys cannot remove it; other causes are cell breakdown after chemotherapy and too many phosphate enemas or laxatives. Phosphate and calciumKAL-see-umA mineral that builds bones and teeth and that nerves, muscles, the heart and blood clotting need to work.Full entry move in opposite directions, so a high phosphate often comes with low calcium. Its opposite is hypophosphatemiahy-poh-fos-fuh-TEE-mee-uhA blood phosphate (phosphorus) level below normal.hypo- belowphosphat phosphate-emia in the bloodFull entry .
For the nurse
Give phosphate binders with meals, as ordered, so they catch the phosphate in food. Teach a client with kidney disease to limit high-phosphate foods such as dairy, dark colas, processed meats and processed cheese, and watch for signs of low calcium, such as tingling and muscle cramps.
At a glance
| Also written | hyperphosphataemia |
|---|
Easy to confuse with
hypophosphatemia
A blood phosphate (phosphorus) level below normal.
Related terms
chronic kidney disease
Kidney damage or reduced kidney function that lasts longer than three months.
calcium
A mineral that builds bones and teeth and that nerves, muscles, the heart and blood clotting need to work.
-emia
A word ending that means a condition of the blood, or something in the blood.
hyper-
A word beginning that means above, over or more than normal.
phosphorus
A mineral in the blood and bones, measured as phosphate, that works with calcium to build bone and supply energy to cells.
tetany
Involuntary muscle cramps and spasms that come from nerves firing too easily.
hypophosphatemia
A blood phosphate (phosphorus) level below normal.