Hypoparathyroidism

Family & Patient Teaching


In acute interveions where the hypoparathyroidism has caused sever hypocalcemia, the nurse may need to teach the patient about actions that they can do to help relieve some of the symptoms as well as what interventions will be preformed to treat their hypocalcemia and hypoparathyroidism. Things that the patient needs to be aware of are things like...
  • Rebreathing, like breathing into a paper bag, to alleviate some acute neuromuscular symptoms
  • The necessity of IV administration of calcium gluconate if indicated
  • Nutrition, such as what foods are high in calcium such as dairy products

Patients that are placed on medications to manage chronic hypoparathyroidism need education regarding the new treatement they will be prescribed from the doctor as well as signs and symptoms of any complications that migh arise from the treatment. They will also need education about the frequency of follow-up appointments and lab draws that need to occur 3-4 times a year.

external image HL_Nurse_Assessment.jpg external image Dairy_products.jpeg