Sutures and Wound Repair/ General Surgery (ABSA) Practice Test

What condition results from the complete removal of parathyroid glands?

1. Severe tetany

2. Hypercalcemia

3. Hypoparathyroidism

4. Thyroid storm

The correct answer is: Severe tetany

The correct answer is severe tetany, which occurs as a consequence of complete removal of the parathyroid glands. The parathyroid glands play a critical role in regulating calcium levels in the blood through the secretion of parathyroid hormone (PTH). When these glands are entirely removed, the body can no longer produce PTH. As a result, calcium levels in the blood drop significantly, leading to a condition known as hypocalcemia. Low calcium levels are associated with increased neuromuscular excitability, which manifests as severe muscle spasms and seizures, collectively referred to as tetany. In contexts where hypoparathyroidism is mentioned, it refers to the inadequate function of the parathyroid glands, but in this case, complete removal results in a more acute and severe presentation of symptoms, particularly the tetany. Other conditions, such as hypercalcemia or thyroid storm, are unrelated to the removal of the parathyroid glands. Hypercalcemia results from excessive secretion of PTH or other causes that increase calcium levels, while thyroid storm is related to an extreme overactivity of the thyroid gland and is not associated with parathyroid function. Therefore, the onset of severe tetany directly correlates with the lack of parathy