What electrolyte imbalance is associated with tetany and muscle spasms?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The correct answer is C: Hypocalcemia. Tetany and muscle spasms are classic symptoms of low calcium levels. Calcium is essential for muscle contraction and nerve function. Hypocalcemia causes increased excitability of nerves and muscles, leading to tetany and spasms. Incorrect choices: A: Hyperkalemia - High potassium levels do not typically cause tetany or muscle spasms. B: Hypokalemia - Low potassium levels can cause muscle weakness but not tetany. D: Hypernatremia - High sodium levels do not directly lead to tetany or muscle spasms.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Certainly! The correct answer is B: Promote sodium and water excretion. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) is released by the heart in response to high blood pressure or volume overload. ANP acts to dilate blood vessels, increase glomerular filtration rate, and promote sodium and water excretion by the kidneys. This results in a decrease in blood volume and blood pressure. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because ANP does not have the function of increasing blood pressure, retaining sodium and water, or increasing thirst.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: High serum sodium. Dehydration leads to an increase in serum sodium concentration due to the loss of water without a proportional loss of sodium. This results in hypernatremia. Low hematocrit (A) is seen in anemia, not dehydration. Low serum osmolality (C) and low serum potassium (D) are not typically associated with dehydration.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: Low serum magnesium levels can lead to cardiac arrhythmias due to its role in regulating heart muscle function. Magnesium deficiency can disrupt electrical conduction in the heart, potentially causing arrhythmias. Hypokalemia (Choice B), hypercalcemia (Choice C), and hypertension (Choice D) are not directly associated with low magnesium levels. Potassium and calcium imbalances have different physiological implications, while hypertension is more commonly linked to sodium levels. Therefore, the correct answer is A: Cardiac arrhythmias.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Hypocalcemia. A serum calcium level of 7.8 mg/dL indicates low calcium levels. Symptoms of tingling around the mouth and muscle twitching are classic signs of hypocalcemia due to its effect on nerve and muscle function. In hypocalcemia, there is increased nerve excitability leading to these symptoms. Hypercalcemia (choice A) would present with symptoms like fatigue and confusion. Hyperkalemia (choice C) and hypokalemia (choice D) involve potassium levels, not calcium, and would present with different symptoms such as cardiac arrhythmias and muscle weakness, respectively.