Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 74%
Practice
The nurse is assessing the patient for the presence of a Chvosteks sign. What electrolyte imbalance would a positive Chvosteks sign indicate?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
Step 1: Chvostek's sign is a facial muscle spasm induced by tapping the facial nerve in hypocalcemia.
Step 2: Hypocalcemia causes increased neuromuscular excitability, leading to Chvostek's sign.
Step 3: Hyperkalemia (choice D) causes muscle weakness, not muscle spasm.
Step 4: Hyponatremia (choice B) affects osmolarity, not neuromuscular excitability.
Step 5: Hypermagnesemia (choice A) causes muscle weakness, not muscle spasm.
Step 2: Hypocalcemia causes increased neuromuscular excitability, leading to Chvostek's sign.
Step 3: Hyperkalemia (choice D) causes muscle weakness, not muscle spasm.
Step 4: Hyponatremia (choice B) affects osmolarity, not neuromuscular excitability.
Step 5: Hypermagnesemia (choice A) causes muscle weakness, not muscle spasm.