What common electrolyte disturbance is associated with the use of hydrochlorothiazide?

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic commonly used to treat high blood pressure and edema. One of the well-known effects of thiazide diuretics is their impact on calcium metabolism. Hydrochlorothiazide can lead to an increase in calcium reabsorption in the kidneys, resulting in increased calcium levels in the blood (hypercalcemia).

This occurs because thiazide diuretics promote sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule of the nephron, and, as a mechanism to compensate for the sodium retention, calcium reabsorption is simultaneously enhanced. Therefore, the common electrolyte disturbance associated with the use of hydrochlorothiazide is increased calcium levels.

The other options do not reflect the typical effects of hydrochlorothiazide. For instance, this diuretic is more commonly associated with hypokalemia (decreased potassium) rather than increased potassium, and while it can cause slight variations in sodium levels, an increase is not characteristic. Magnesium levels can be affected but not typically increased; they may actually decrease with thiazide use. Hence, the increase in calcium is the defining feature of the electrolyte disturbance linked with hydrochlorothiazide.