When managing a patient with hypercalcemia, what must be calculated?

Corrected serum calcium is essential to calculate when managing a patient with hypercalcemia because it provides a more accurate assessment of the calcium level in the context of the patient's albumin levels. Calcium in the bloodstream exists in two forms: bound to proteins (primarily albumin) and as free or ionized calcium. Changes in protein levels, particularly albumin, can affect the total calcium measurement, which may not reflect the biologically active calcium effectively.

By calculating the corrected serum calcium, healthcare providers can determine if the hypercalcemia is primarily due to an increase in the total calcium or if other factors, such as low albumin levels, are contributing to the apparent increase. This is crucial for guiding treatment decisions and understanding the underlying cause of the hypercalcemia.

In contrast, while serum electrolytes are important for evaluating a patient's overall electrolyte balance and assessing for potential abnormalities, they do not specifically address the accuracy of the calcium levels. Creatinine clearance may be valuable in assessing renal function, which can be impacted by hypercalcemia but is not directly related to the management of the condition itself. Urine calcium levels can provide insights into the calcium handling by the kidneys, yet they are not the primary calculation needed in the immediate management of hypercalcemia