Which imbalance is present in a patient with chronic kidney disease with a total serum calcium of 7.8 mg/dL and complaining of numbness and tingling around the mouth?
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Correct answer: Hypocalcemia
A calcium below ~8.4–9.0 mg/dL indicates hypocalcemia; the neuromuscular irritability (perioral numbness/tingling) is classic for hypocalcemia.
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