Page 255 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

on the hypocalcemia that results when serum
phosphorus levels increase.

B. Causes

1. Decreased renal excretion resulting from renal
insufficiency
2. Tumor lysis syndrome
3. Increased intake of phosphorus, including dietary
intake or overuse of phosphate-containing laxatives
or enemas
4. Hypoparathyroidism
C. Assessment: Refer to assessment of hypocalcemia.
D. Interventions
1. Interventions entail the management of hypocalcemia.

2. Administer phosphate-binding medications

that increase fecal excretion of phosphorus by binding
phosphorus from food in the gastrointestinal tract.

3. Instruct the client to avoid phosphate-

containing medications, including laxatives and
enemas.
4. Instruct the client to decrease the intake of food that is
high in phosphorus (see Box 11-2).
5. Instruct the client in medication administration: Take
phosphate-binding medications, emphasizing that
they should be taken with meals or immediately after
meals.

Box 8-1

Properties of Electrolytes and Their Components

Atom

An atom is the smallest part of an element that still has the properties of the
element.
The atom is composed of particles known as the proton (positive charge),
neutron (neutral), and electron (negative charge).
Protons and neutrons are in the nucleus of the atom; therefore, the nucleus is
positively charged.
Electrons carry a negative charge and revolve around the nucleus.
As long as the number of electrons is the same as the number of protons, the
atom has no net charge; that is, it is neither positive nor negative.
Atoms that gain, lose, or share electrons are no longer neutral.

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