Sodium

Question 1

Basic Function of Sodium (5)

Answer 1

Extracellular excitation
control water
muscle function 
CNS (nerve impulses)
Three B's: BP, Blood volume, and Blood's pH balance

Question 2

Causes of Hypernatremia (11)

Answer 2

Hyperaldosteronism
kidney problems 
corticosteroids
Cushing syndrome
NPO
 fever
hyperventilation
infection
 sweating
diarrhea, dehydration

Question 3

Serum sodium balance regulated by…

Answer 3

kidney.

Question 4

Types of hyponatremia…

Answer 4

Hypovolemic: loss of fluid and sodium together

Hypervolemic : increase in both sodium and electrolytes (High fluid and low salt)

Question 5

Causes of Hyponatremia

Answer 5

sweating, diuretics, wound drainage, kidney problems, hyperglycemia, decreased aldosterone, hyperlipidemia, NPO, hypotonic fluids, heart failure, low salt diet

Question 6

S&S of Hyponatremia (depressed and deflated)

Answer 6

SALT LOSS

Question 7

S PO

Answer 7

Seizures (LATE), Stupor, and Coma (LATE)

Question 8

A PO

Answer 8

Abdominal Cramping (N/V, Diarrhea) and Attitude Changes (Confusion/Change in LOC)

Question 9

L PO

Answer 9

generaL! muscle weakness, especially in arms/legs

Question 10

T PO (4)

Answer 10

Tendon Reflexes diminished, Trouble Concentrating, Tachycardia (Weak, Rapid, Thready Pulse) BP goes DOWN

Question 11

L PO

Answer 11

Loss of urine and appetite

Question 12

O PO

Answer 12

Orthostatic hypotension, overactive bowel sounds

Question 13

S PO

Answer 13

Shallow respirations

Question 14

S PO

Answer 14

Spasms of muscles

Question 15

Fluid restrictions for…

Answer 15

hyponatremia

Question 16

“Where sodium goes…

Answer 16

water follows.”

Question 17

Foods high in sodium include…

Answer 17

processed, smoked, pickled, preserved foods and snacks, condiments.

Question 18

Foods low in sodium include…

Answer 18

fresh fish, poultry, fruits and veggies.

Question 19

Interventions for hyponatremia…(4)

Answer 19

reduce drug therapy like diuretics,
give 3% saline via IV,
if from fluid excess use drugs that pull water off like conivaptan or tolvaptan,
educate on oral salt intake and restriction of water

Question 20

Hypernatremia S&S (16)

BIG AND BLOATED

Answer 20

Altered cerebral function (short attention span, confusion, agitated)
Muscle twitching, decreased DTR’s
Decreased contractility, increased pulse rate, hypotension and severe orthostatic hypotension
red and rosy face, edema, low-grade fever, LATE SIGNS: swollen dry tongue, nausea and vomiting, increased muscle tone

Question 21

Interventions for hypernatremia…

Answer 21

IV fluids (isotonic saline 0.9% and dextrose 5% in 0.45% sodium chloride) For reduced kidney function use diuretics that promote sodium loss like furosemide. Adequate water intake, and how to calculate salt in foods, and what foods to avoid.