What is a characteristic symptom of hypocalcemia diagnosed by Trousseau's sign?

What is a characteristic symptom of hypocalcemia diagnosed by Trousseau's sign?

• A. Severe lethargy
• B. Muscle spasms
• C. Bone pain
• D. Heart dysrhythmias

Answer: (B)

Trousseau's sign is a clinical indicator of hypocalcemia, characterized by muscle spasms that occur in response to blood vessel occlusion due to inflation of a blood pressure cuff around the arm. When the cuff is inflated, it causes temporary ischemia and can elicit a neuromuscular response in susceptible individuals, resulting in spasms of the muscles in the hand and forearm, typically leading to a characteristic posture known as "carpopedal spasm." This symptom is directly associated with low calcium levels in the blood, which affect neuromuscular excitability. While other symptoms of hypocalcemia may present, such as lethargy, bone pain, or heart dysrhythmias, Trousseau's sign specifically highlights the muscular response linked with the lack of calcium. Thus, the identification of muscle spasms as a result of Trousseau's sign confirms its relevance to hypocalcemia and solidifies its importance as a diagnostic tool in assessing calcium levels in the body.

Trousseau's sign is a clinical indicator of hypocalcemia, characterized by muscle spasms that occur in response to blood vessel occlusion due to inflation of a blood pressure cuff around the arm. When the cuff is inflated, it causes temporary ischemia and can elicit a neuromuscular response in susceptible individuals, resulting in spasms of the muscles in the hand and forearm, typically leading to a characteristic posture known as "carpopedal spasm." This symptom is directly associated with low calcium levels in the blood, which affect neuromuscular excitability.

While other symptoms of hypocalcemia may present, such as lethargy, bone pain, or heart dysrhythmias, Trousseau's sign specifically highlights the muscular response linked with the lack of calcium. Thus, the identification of muscle spasms as a result of Trousseau's sign confirms its relevance to hypocalcemia and solidifies its importance as a diagnostic tool in assessing calcium levels in the body.