Question | Answer |
Vitamin D | Fat soluble
“Sunshine vitamin”
Fish liver oils, saltwater fish
Fortified foods: milk, orange juice, cereals
Animal livers, eggs, butter, dairy products |
Vitamin D Indications | Dietary supplement
Treatment of vitamin D deficiency
Treatment and correction of conditions related to long-term deficiency: rickets, tetany, osteomalacia
Prevention of osteoporosis |
Vitamin K | Fat soluble
Dietary sources of K1
Green leafy vegetables (broccoli, cabbage, spinach, kale), cheese, soybean oils |
Vitamin K Indications | Dietary supplementation
Treatment of deficiency states (rare)
Antibiotic therapy
Malabsorption
Given prophylactically to newborn infants
Reverses the effects of certain anticoagulants (warfarin) |
Vitamin K Indications | To prevent the bleeding disorders infants may have; given to adults taking Coumadin to reverse effects; Protamine sulfate to reverse effects of Heparin |
Forms of Vitamin K | Vitamin K1 (phytonadione, AquaMEPHYTON) |
Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid) | Required for several metabolic activities
Collagen synthesis
Maintenance of connective tissue
Tissue repair
Maintenance of bone, teeth, and capillaries
Folic acid metabolism
Erythropoiesis |
Calcium | Most abundant mineral in the body |
Calcium Food Sources | Found in many foods
Especially milk and dairy products
Fortified cereals
Calcium-fortified orange juice
Sardines, salmon |
Calcium: Causes of Deficiency | Inadequate intake of calcium or vitamin D
Hypoparathyroidism
Malabsorption syndrome
Many other causes |
Calcium Toxicity | Hypercalcemia may occur with therapy – tetany
Anorexia
Nausea
Vomiting
Constipation
Severe hypercalcemia can cause:
Cardiac irregularities
Delirium
Coma |
Magnesium | Dietary sources
Green leafy vegetables
Meats, seafood, milk, cheese, yogurt
Bran cereal, nuts |
Magnesium: Causes of Deficiency | Hypomagnesemia
Malabsorption
Alcoholism
Long-term IV feedings
Diuretics
Metabolic disorders (hyperthyroidism, diabetic ketoacidosis) |
Magnesium: Indications | Nutritional supplement
Treatment of magnesium deficiency
Anticonvulsant in magnesium deficiency
Preeclampsia and eclampsia
Tocolytic drug for inhibition of uterine contractions in premature labor
Cardiac dysrhythmias |
Phosphorus | Widely distributed in foods
Milk
Yogurt
Cheese
Peas
Meat
Fish
Eggs
Hyperphosphatemia in renal disease; Carafate will bind to the excess phosphorus to decrease serum phosphorus |
Implementation | Giving intravenous calcium too rapidly may precipitate cardiac irregularities or cardiac arrest; therefore it must be administered slowly, as ordered, and within the manufacturer guidelines (e.g., usually less than 1 mL/min). |
Should extravasation of the intravenous calcium solution occur, the nurse should discontinue the infusion immediately but leave the intravenous catheter in place. | The prescriber may then order an injection of 1% procaine and/or other antidotes or fluids to reduce vasospasm at the site and dilute the irritating effects of calcium on surrounding tissue. |