Calcium Gluconate Drug Summ

Score: _________

Grade: _____________

DRUG SUMMARY Name of Drug Generic (Brand)

Calcium Gluconate

Date Ordered

Classificatio n

Dose Frequency Route

Mechanism of Action

Specific Indication

Side Effects

Nursing Implications

Replaces calcium and maintains calcium level.

> Hypocalcemic emergency > Adjunctive treatment of Magnesium intoxication > Hypophosphatemia > Hyperkale mia with secondary cardiac toxicity

CNS: tingling sensation, syncope with rapid I.V. injection. CV: mild drop in blood pressure, vasodilation, bradycardia, arrhythmias, cardiac arrest with rapid I.V. injection. GI: irritation, constipation, nausea, vomiting, thirst, abd. pain. GU: polyuria, renal calculi. Metabolic: hyper-calcemia Skin: local reactions, including burning, necrosis, tissue sloughing, cellulites, soft tissue calcification with I.M. use, pain.

Before: > Make sure prescriber specifies form of calcium to be given; crash carts may contain both calcium gluconate and calcium chloride. > Tell patient to take oral calcium 1 to 1!/2 hours after meals if GI upset occurs. During: > Give I.M. injection in gluteal region in adults and in lateral thigh in infants. Use I.M. route only in emergencies when no I.V. route is available bec. of irritation of tissue by calcium salts. > Tell patient to take oral calcium with a full glass of water. After: > Monitor calcium levels frequently. Hypercalcemia may result after large doses in chronic renal failure. Report abnormalities.