Hypernatremia

Question 1

when it comes to hypernatremia 1st thing to be done is to:

Answer 1

evaluate volume status

Question 2

if pt is hypernatremic and appears on clinical exam to be euvolumic what do you give?

Answer 2

free water supplementation

Question 3

if pt is hypernatremic and appears to be hypovolumic then you need to assess if they are:

Answer 3

symptomatic. If not symptomatic give 5% dextrose If symptomatic, give NS 0.9% until euvolumic and then give 5% dextrose

Question 4

if someone has hypotonic water loss (diarrhea generally) the normal mechanism of the body is too

Answer 4

activate the thirst mechanism to increase water consumption to prevent hypernatremia development as long as the ongoing fluid loss has stopped.

Question 5

who is at risk for developing hypernatremia?

Answer 5

elderly those who cannot express thirst neurological deficit pts

Question 6

goal to replenish sodium is:

Answer 6

0.5 mEq/dl/hr without exceeding 12 mEq/dl in 24 hrs

Question 7

what is the side effect if sodium is corrected too quickly?

Answer 7

cerebral edema

Question 8

Algorithm for hypernatremia

Answer 8