A 63-Year-Old Man Comes to the Emergency Department Due to Muscle

question 139

Multiple Choice

A 63-year-old man comes to the emergency department due to muscle weakness with severe cramping in the lower extremities.  The cramps are severe enough to disrupt his sleep.  The patient also exercises daily but has had to suspend his exercise regimen in the last 3 days due to the symptoms.  Past medical history is notable for hypertension, for which he was started on chlorthalidone and amlodipine 4 weeks ago.  Blood pressure in the emergency department is 140/86 mm Hg and pulse is 90/min.  The heart has a regular rate and rhythm, and he has palpable pedal pulses with no peripheral edema.  Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient's muscular symptoms?

• A)Hyperuricemia
• B)Hypocalcemia
• C)Hypoglycemia
• D)Hypokalemia
• E)Hyponatremia
• F)Hypophosphatemia

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Definitions:

Wage Taker

An individual or entity that accepts the prevailing wage rates in the market due to the inability to influence them.

Wage Rate

A set amount of money given by an employer to an employee for services rendered, usually specified on an hourly or annual basis.

Purely Competitive

A market structure characterized by many buyers and sellers, free entry and exit, and a product so standard that no one controls the market price.

Imperfectly Competitive

A market structure characterized by a few dominant firms that have control over prices and high barriers to entry, limiting perfect competition.