Hypernatremia: Manifestations

Question 1

how does shrunken cells occur?

Answer 1

if the problem is an increase in sodium, fluid will shift from the intracellular compartment to the vasculature bc of the osmotic pull

Question 2

what symptoms result from shrunken brain cells?

Answer 2

restless, confused an weak

Question 3

if the imbalance of hypernatremia is not corrected, what symptoms will occur?

Answer 3

stupor, seizures an coma

Question 4

why should nurses look for signs of neuromuscular excitability?

Answer 4

the role of sodium in the transmission of nerve an muscle impulses
- so symptoms such as twitching can occur

Question 5

when water is lost in greater proportion than sodium, what symptoms would the client show?

Answer 5

signs of volume depletion
- dry mucous membranes and orthostatic hypotension

Question 6

what will lab values show for hypernatremia?

Answer 6

increase in sodium concentration an increase in osmolality