What must be done if a patient demonstrates symptoms of hypocalcemia?

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Administering a calcium supplement is the appropriate action when a patient exhibits symptoms of hypocalcemia. Hypocalcemia, characterized by low levels of calcium in the blood, can lead to significant health issues, including muscle spasms, tingling sensations, and in severe cases, cardiac arrhythmias.

Calcium is vital for numerous physiological functions, including muscle contraction, nerve transmission, and blood coagulation. When a patient shows signs of hypocalcemia, providing calcium supplements helps to quickly restore the necessary calcium levels in the bloodstream, alleviating symptoms and reducing the risk of complications.

Increasing dialysate flow or adjusting blood pressure medication are not direct treatments for hypocalcemia and may not address the underlying calcium deficiency. Waiting for symptoms to improve is inappropriate as it could lead to worsening of the patient's condition. Thus, administering a calcium supplement is the immediate and correct course of action to treat hypocalcemia effectively.

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