Which statement is true about elemental calcium per dose?

Which statement is true about elemental calcium per dose?

• A. CaCl contains more elemental calcium per dose than calcium gluconate
• B. Calcium gluconate contains more elemental calcium per dose than CaCl
• C. They contain equal amounts of elemental calcium per dose
• D. Only CaCl is available in IV form

Answer: (A)

Elemental calcium per dose depends on how much calcium is present in the salt form. Calcium chloride carries a larger fraction of its weight as elemental calcium than calcium gluconate. In practice, calcium chloride provides roughly 30% elemental calcium by weight, while calcium gluconate provides about 9–11%. So, for the same amount of salt, calcium chloride delivers more calcium ions per dose. The idea that calcium gluconate has more calcium, or that they’re equal, isn’t correct. Also, both salts can be given intravenously, so the notion that only calcium chloride is IV is false.

Elemental calcium per dose depends on how much calcium is present in the salt form. Calcium chloride carries a larger fraction of its weight as elemental calcium than calcium gluconate. In practice, calcium chloride provides roughly 30% elemental calcium by weight, while calcium gluconate provides about 9–11%. So, for the same amount of salt, calcium chloride delivers more calcium ions per dose. The idea that calcium gluconate has more calcium, or that they’re equal, isn’t correct. Also, both salts can be given intravenously, so the notion that only calcium chloride is IV is false.