An elderly client is transported to the emergency department from a local nursing home with a serum calcium level of 3.9 mEq/L. The client's family is upset and says "This is the second time this has happened since she got admitted to that home!" The best answer by the nurse is
A) "I can call a social worker to see if she can go to another home if you like."
B) "It might be related to not getting enough sun; I'll call the home and ask about it."
C) "Yes, people in nursing homes often start having illnesses after they are admitted."
D) "You will just have to have them increase her calcium supplements."

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Hypocalcemia can be caused by lack of exposure to sunlight, long periods of confinement in nursing homes or prisons, and disorders that interfere with absorption of vitamin D. It only takes a few minutes of sun exposure to change ingested vitamin D to its active form.

An Elderly Client Is Transported to the Emergency Department from a Local