What symptom is associated with hypocalcemia?

Tetany is associated with hypocalcemia due to the important role that calcium plays in neuromuscular excitability. When calcium levels are low, the threshold for nerve and muscle cell depolarization decreases, leading to increased excitability. This increased excitability manifests as muscle spasms, cramps, and characteristic symptoms such as tingling or numbness around the mouth and fingertips, as well as muscle twitching. These occurrences are collectively recognized as tetany.

The connection between hypocalcemia and tetany can be explained by understanding that calcium is vital for normal muscle function and nerve transmission. Inadequate levels of calcium disrupt these processes, resulting in an unstable neuromuscular system and the onset of tetanic symptoms. Maintaining adequate calcium levels is essential for ensuring proper muscle contraction and inhibition of spontaneous nerve firing.

The other choices, while related to various conditions, do not specifically correlate with the immediate symptoms resulting from low calcium levels. Bone pain can arise from various causes, including bone disorders and diseases, but it is not a direct symptom of hypocalcemia. Cardiac arrest, although a severe complication that can be related to several electrolyte imbalances, is not a primary symptom of hypocalcemia. Dry skin may occur due to a variety