Calcium Metabolism in Emergency Medicine Case 1

A 27 year old female attends your department brought in by London Ambulance Service (LAS). She complains of severe left upper quadrant pain.
She is an alcoholic who has had one severe attack of pancreatitis previously. She has lain in bed without really moving for 5 days and had several fits.

You wonder if she has pancreatitis again. What signs will you look for on abdominal examination?

The patient’s blood test results are shown here. Calculate the corrected calcium.

What are the possible aetiologies of her hypocalcaemia?

Note: The patient’s history is on the right for your reference.

How would you specifically manage her hypocalcaemia?

What signs may she have related to her hypocalcaemia?

What effect would giving this patient bisphosphonates have?