Fluid, Electrolytes, and Parenteral Solutions
Chvostek's sign
Pronunciation
(v
s't
ks s
n)
Definitions
A sign elicited by tapping the facial nerve about 2 cm anterior to the earlobe, just below the zygomatic process; the response is a spasm of the muscles supplied by the facial nerve. A positive Chvostek's sign is a symptom of hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia.
Application
The patient postoperative for thyroidectomy began to have signs of hypocalcemia including numbness of the fingers, cramps in the muscles of the legs, and positive Chvostek's sign.
Keep in Mind
Chvostek's sign also can be observed as unilateral twitching.
*NOTE: Refer to Bonus Chvostek's Sign and Trousseau's Sign for picture of Chvostek's sign.