Adult: 8.2 to 10.5 mg/dL; SI units: 2.05–2.54 mmol/L
Child: 8.6–11.2 mg/dL; SI units: 2.15–2.79 mmol/L
Critical levels: >12 mg/dL; SI units: >2.99 mmol/L (coma, death).<7mg/dL;
SI units: <1.75 mmol/L (tetany, death)
. Red-top tube.
■ 50% of calcium in blood is bound to albumin and is inactive;
the other 50%, called free or ionized calcium, is metabolically
active. Total calcium is a measurement of both bound and free
calcium.
■ Assess for diseases of the parathyroid gland or kidneys.
