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 Review of Clinical Signs

Signs of Hypocalcemia

Series Editor and Author: Frank L. Urbano, MD

1. All of the following may result from hypocalcemia EXCEPT:
  1. Paresthesias
  2. Muscle cramps
  3. Confusion
  4. Tetany
  5. Seizures
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2. Which of the following statements about Chvostek’s sign is true?

  1. It may be elicited by tapping the face just anterior to the ear and below the zygomatic bone.
  2. It may be elicited by direct stimulation of the facial muscles.
  3. It is present in less than 3% of normal individuals.
  4. Ninety-five percent of patients with hypocalcemia are positive for this sign.
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3. Other causes of Chvostek’s sign include all of the following EXCEPT:

  1. Rickets
  2. Diphtheria
  3. Measles
  4. Scarlet fever
  5. Hyperthyroidism
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4. Which of the following statements about Trousseau’s sign is true?
  1. It is a carpopedal spasm occurring after a few minutes of inflation of a blood pressure cuff above diastolic blood pressure.
  2. It produces a characteristic hand posture called main d’accoucheur.
  3. It is only a crude indicator of hypocalcemia.
  4. In addition to hypocalcemia, it may also be caused by hypokalemia.
  5. It is positive in 9% of patients with hypocalcemia.
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5. Patients with Trousseau’s sign may experience all of the following symptoms EXCEPT:

  1. Paresthesia of the fingers
  2. Muscular fasciculations of the fingers
  3. Twitching of the fingers
  4. Numbness of the arm below the blood pressure cuff
  5. A sensation of muscular cramping or stiffness in the hand
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6. All of the following conditions may result in hypocalcemia EXCEPT:

  1. Hyperparathyroidism
  2. Tumor lysis syndrome
  3. Chronic renal failure
  4. Nephrotic syndrome
  5. Pancreatitis
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