A 53-year-old woman who is being treated for metastatic breast cancer is noted to have some lethargy, fatigue, and an elevated serum calcium level. She is brought into the ER for near comatose state, thought to be caused by the hypercalcemia. After addressing the ABCs (airway, breathing, circulation), wof is the best therapy for this patient
Correct Answer: Saline infusion and furosemide
Description: Hypercalcaemia of malignancy:- Severe hypercalcaemia, a common complication of malignancy, is a medical emergency with altered consciousness. Treatment:- Pamidronate or zoledronate are the most effective drugs, but take 24-48 hours to act. They may be supplemented by i.m. calcitonin 6-12 hourly for 2 days to achieve rapid action. Vigorous i.v. hydration is instituted first. After volume repletion, furosemide is added to enhance Ca2+ excretion and to prevent volume overload. This is followed by BPN infusion. This therapy reduces serum calcium within few hours and corrects the attending dehydration. Oral BPNs are not useful. Coicosteroids also lower plasma Ca2+, but are slow to act, take 1-2 weeks. Ref:- kd tripathi; pg num:-344
Category:
Pharmacology
Get More
Subject Mock Tests
Practice with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects and improve your knowledge.
Attempt a mock test nowMock Exam
Take an exam with 100 random questions selected from all subjects to test your knowledge.
Coming SoonGet More
Subject Mock Tests
Try practicing mock tests with over 200,000 questions from various medical subjects.
Attempt a mock test now