Hypocalcemia results in: September 2010
**Core Concept**
Hypocalcemia is a state of decreased calcium levels in the blood, which can lead to various physiological and clinical consequences. This condition can be caused by several factors, including vitamin D deficiency, hypoparathyroidism, or renal failure.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
Hypocalcemia results in hyperexcitability of the nervous system, leading to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and muscle cramps. This is because calcium ions play a crucial role in stabilizing nerve cell membranes and preventing excessive neuronal firing. When calcium levels are low, nerve cells become hyperexcitable, leading to the aforementioned symptoms. The increased neuronal excitability is due to the decreased inhibitory effect of calcium ions on voltage-gated sodium channels, allowing more sodium ions to enter the nerve cell and leading to depolarization.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
**Option A:** This option is incorrect because hyperkalemia (increased potassium levels) would result in muscle weakness and flaccidity, not hyperexcitability.
**Option B:** This option is incorrect because hypoglycemia (decreased blood glucose) would result in symptoms such as shakiness, sweating, and hunger, not hyperexcitability.
**Option C:** This option is incorrect because acidosis (increased blood acidity) would result in symptoms such as respiratory distress, confusion, and cardiac arrhythmias, not hyperexcitability.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
One should remember that hypocalcemia can lead to tetany, a condition characterized by muscle cramps, spasms, and contractions. This is often seen in patients with hypoparathyroidism or vitamin D deficiency.
**Correct Answer: A. Hyperexcitability of the nervous system.**