
Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Hypercalcemia physical examination
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Physical examination of patients with hypercalcemia is usually unremarkable. Patients may have physical findings due to severe hypercalcemia and other complications.
Physical Examination
Physical Examination
- Physical examination of patients with hypercalcemia is usually unremarkable.[1]
- Patients may have physical findings due to severe hypercalcemia and other complication.[2]
Appearance of the Patient
- Patients with hypercalcaemia usually appear well.
Vital Signs
- High blood pressure due to hypercalcemia and renal failure
Skin
- Persistent itching may be present due to renal failure
HEENT
- Band keratopathy (calcium precipitation in a horizontal band across the cornea in the palpebral aperture); may lead to vision impairment
Lungs
- Dyspnea due to fluid overload form renal failure
Cardiovasvular
- Palpitations due to arrhythmias
- Chest pain due to fluid overload form renal failure
- Rales and S3 due to fluid overload form renal failure
Abdomen
- Nausea and vomiting
- Anorexia
- Fecal impaction (from constipation)
- Epigastric pain and tenderness due to development of pancreatitis
- Flank pain and tenderness due to nephrolithiasis
Genitourinary
- Alteration in urinary habits
- Volume depletion
- Signs of renal failure
Neuromuscular
- Patient is usually oriented to persons, place, and time.
- Patients with severe hypercalcemia and other complications may have:
- Anxiety
- Fatigue and weakness due to renal failure
- Lethargy
- Sleep disturbances
- Muscle twitch and cramps
- Signs of depression
- Confusion
- Memory disturbances
- Hypotonia
- Hyporeflexia
- Paresis
- Coma
Extremities
- Swelling of feet and ankles due to renal failure
- Arthralgia due to bone resorption
References
References
- ↑ Pallan S, Khan A (2011). “Primary hyperparathyroidism: Update on presentation, diagnosis, and management in primary care”. Can Fam Physician. 57 (2): 184–9. PMC 3038812. PMID 21321169.
- ↑ Mishra SK, Agarwal G, Kar DK, Gupta SK, Mithal A, Rastad J (2001). “Unique clinical characteristics of primary hyperparathyroidism in India”. Br J Surg. 88 (5): 708–14. doi:10.1046/j.0007-1323.2001.01775.x. PMID 11350446.
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Anmol Pitliya, M.B.B.S. M.D.[2]
