]> 2026-07-31T07:28:17+00:00 WBR0198 0 en Hyperventilation Hypocalcemia Essential fatty acid deficiency Focal seizure Hypomagnesemia '''Correct'''-Magnesium deficiency is common in malnourished patients and patients with large gastrointestinal fluid losses. The neuromuscular effects resemble those of calcium deficiency namely, paresthesia, hyperreflexia, muscle spasm, and ultimately tetany. But the cardiac effects are more like those of hypercalcemia. Thus an electrocardiogram serves as a rapid means of differentiating between hypocalcemia and hypomagnesemia. Hypomagnesemia also causes potassium wasting by the kidney. Many hospital patients with refractory hypocalcemia will be found to be magnesium deficient. Often this deficiency becomes manifest during the response to parenteral nutrition when normal cellular ionic gradients are restored. Inpatient Facilities Vendhan Ramanujam A 54 year old woman, a known Crohn’s disease patient looking malnourished was admitted following severe diarrhea. She also has a small intestinal fistula. She was then started on parental nutrition. During the second week of parenteral nutrition, she develops spasms in her hands and feet. She also complains of muscle twitching and cramps. Examination reveals extension of interphalangeal joints and adduction and flexion of the metacarpophalangeal joints. The laboratory findings include <br> Serum calcium 8.2 mg/dL <br> Serum sodium 135 mEq/L <br> Serum potassium 3.2 mEq/L <br> Serum chloride 100 mEq/L <br> Serum phosphorus 2.6 mg/dL <br> Serum albumin 2.4 g/dL <br> Serum bicarbonate 25 meq/L <br> pH 7.42 <br> PaCO2 38 mm Hg <br> <br> The most likely cause of the her complaint is E Gastrointestinal Electrolytes 2020-10-27T23:44:00Z 2459150.4888889 WBR0198