Lecture 7 - Hypo And Hypernatremia Flashcards
What is considered hypernatremia?
Na+ > 146mmol/L
What is the major cause of hypernatraemia, fluid loss or Na+ gain?
Change in fluid levels
What are some causes of hypernatremia?
Uncontrolled diabetes
Fluid loss without replacement (sweating, burns and vomiting)
Diabetes Insipidus (large vol of dilute urine)
Incorrect IV fluid replacement
Primary aldosterone
What is considered hyponatremia?
Na+ <135mmol/L
Where is hyponatremia very common?
Hosptial patients
What are the symptoms of Hyponatremia?
Agitation
Nausea
Focal neurology (affects nerves in brain)
Coma
Lose consciousness
Seizures
Feeling weak
What are some causes of Hyponatremia leading to water loss?
Diuretics (thiazides)
Water overload or retention
Inc ADH levels
Inc plasma Osmolality (mannitol, glucose)
What are some causes of hyponatremia that lead to True Na+ loss?
Diarrhoea and vomitting
Diuretics/renal failure
Peritonitis
Burns
How do you approach treating a patient with low Na+? (Hyponatraemia)
Always look at the Osmolality of the blood first
What is the normal range of serum osmolality?
275 - 295mosm/kg
How do you calculate osmolality?
Osmolarity = (2 x Na conc) + glucose conc + urea conc (sometimes add K+)
In the osmolarity equation why do you multiply the sodium conc by 2?
Since Na always accompanied by Cl-
If a patients serum osmolarity is hyper osmotic when they have hyponatraemia what does this indicate?
Its not a kidney related issue
usually due to mannitol , hyperglycaemia
If someone is hyponatraemic what do you need to asses?
Their extracellular fluid volume
Are they fluid depleted or oedematous?
What is indicated if a patient is oedematous with hyponatremia with the serum being Hypoosmotic?
Blood not filtered properly