Severe hypercalcemia is treated with which regimen?

Severe hypercalcemia is treated with which regimen?

• A. Saline hydration and furosemide
• B. Hydration alone
• C. Dialysis
• D. Potassium supplementation

Answer: (A)

Severe hypercalcemia needs a rapid drop in serum calcium by getting calcium out of the body and correcting dehydration. The first step is isotonic saline to restore intravascular volume. This improves kidney perfusion and promotes calcium excretion in the urine. After volume status is established, adding a loop diuretic like furosemide further increases urinary calcium loss. This combination tackles both fluid status and renal calcium elimination, making it the most effective initial regimen for rapid reduction. Dialysis is reserved for cases with kidney failure or when other measures fail to lower calcium quickly enough. Hydration alone may help but is usually not enough in severe cases, and potassium supplementation has no role in treating hypercalcemia and can be harmful.

Severe hypercalcemia needs a rapid drop in serum calcium by getting calcium out of the body and correcting dehydration. The first step is isotonic saline to restore intravascular volume. This improves kidney perfusion and promotes calcium excretion in the urine. After volume status is established, adding a loop diuretic like furosemide further increases urinary calcium loss. This combination tackles both fluid status and renal calcium elimination, making it the most effective initial regimen for rapid reduction.

Dialysis is reserved for cases with kidney failure or when other measures fail to lower calcium quickly enough. Hydration alone may help but is usually not enough in severe cases, and potassium supplementation has no role in treating hypercalcemia and can be harmful.