Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 90%
Simulated
A nurse is admitting a client who has a serum calcium level of 12.3 mg/dL and initiates cardiac monitoring. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect during the initial assessment?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Lethargy. High serum calcium levels can lead to lethargy due to its sedative effects on the central nervous system. This can manifest as fatigue, weakness, and decreased level of consciousness. Prolonged ST segment (Choice A) is not typically associated with hypercalcemia. Hyperactive bowel sounds (Choice B) and hyperactive deep tendon reflexes (Choice C) are more commonly seen in hypocalcemia. Therefore, the nurse should expect lethargy as a result of the high calcium levels during the initial assessment.