Sodium Disorders (Panopto Video Link) Background Lecture Flashcards
What is the major cation in the extracellular fluid?
Sodium
What is the major determinant of intravesicular volume?
Sodium
In what 2 ways may abnormalities of serum sodium be reflected?
In changes of total body water, as well as changes in total body sodium
What do we always need to consider when assessing the relevance of sodium results?
Total body water
What is the concentration of sodium dependent on?
The amount of sodium and the amount of water in the body
What are 3 homeostatic mechanisms to maintain sodium concentration?
- Renal conservation and excretion
- Antidiuretic hormone
- Aldosterone
If serum sodium increases, how will this affect osmolality?
Increased serum sodium leads to increased osmolality
If serum sodium increases, how will this affect thirst?
Increased serum sodium leads to increased thirst
If serum osmolality increases, how will this affect thirst?
Increased serum osmolality leads to increased thirst
If serum osmolality increases, how will this affect aldosterone secretion?
Increased serum osmolality leads to decreased aldosterone secretion
If aldosterone secretion decreases, how will this affect sodium excretion?
Decreased aldosterone secretion leads to increased sodium excretion
How does increased thirst affect antidiuretic hormone release?
Increased thirst leads to increased antidiuretic hormone release
How does increased antidiuretic hormone affect water reabsorption?
Increased release of antidiuretic hormone increases water reabsorption
What is the role of aldosterone?
To increase sodium and water retention
Which is more common: hypernatraemia or hyponatraemia?
Hyponatraemia
Why is hypernatraemia relatively uncommon?
Because it only occurs in patients who do not respond appropriately to the thirst mechanism
If serum sodium decreases, how will this affect osmolality?
Decreased serum sodium leads to decreased osmolality
If serum sodium decreased, how will this affect thirst?
Decreased serum sodium leads to decreased thirst
If serum osmolality decreases, how will this affect thirst?
Increased serum osmolality leads to decreased thirst
How does decreased thirst affect antidiuretic hormone release?
Decreased thirst leads to decreased antidiuretic hormone release
How does decreased antidiuretic hormone affect water reabsorption?
Decreased release of antidiuretic hormone decreased water reabsorption
Where is the majority of sodium reabsorbed?
In the proximal tubule
Approximately what percentage of sodium is reabsorbed in the loop of Henle?
25%
What is hyponatraemia defined as?
A sodium concentration < 135 mmol/L
What are the potential mechanisms by which hyponatraemia may occur?
It may be a dilutional effect, a depletion of sodium, or a combination of both
What is the first thing you should always look at when assessing hyponatraemia?
Fluid status
What are 4 aetiologies of hyponatraemia?
- Pseudohyponatraemia (i.e. falsely low)
- Increased total body sodium/greater increase in body water
- Normovolaemic/low sodium
- Total body decrease in water/greater than relative decrease in sodium
What are 4 aetiologies of hyponatraemia?
- Pseudohyponatraemia (i.e. falsely low)
- Increased total body sodium/greater increase in body water
- Normovolaemic/low sodium
- Total body decrease in water/greater than relative decrease in sodium
What are 5 signs of hyponatraemia?
- Abnormal senses
- Cheyne-Stokes respiration
- Depressed deep tendon reflexes
- Hypothermia
- Seizures
What are 7 symptoms of hyponatraemia?
- Agitation
- Anorexia
- Apathy
- Disorientation
- Lethargy
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
What are 7 symptoms of hyponatraemia?
- Agitation
- Anorexia
- Apathy
- Disorientation
- Lethargy
- Muscle cramps
- Nausea
What is moderate hyponatraemia defined as?
Sodium < 125 mmol/L
What is severe hyponatraemia defined as?
Sodium < 120 mmol/L
What are 8 symptoms of moderate hyponatraemia?
- Malaise
- Lethargy
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Confusion
- Headache
- Nausea
- Anorexia
- Dehydration
- Diabetes insipidus
- DrugsWhat are 8 symptoms of moderate hyponatraemia?
- Malaise
- Lethargy
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Confusion
- Headache
- Nausea
- Anorexia
What are 8 symptoms of moderate hyponatraemia?
- Malaise
- Lethargy
- Fatigue
- Muscle cramps
- Confusion
- Headache
- Nausea
- Anorexia
What are 6 symptoms of severe hyponatraemia?
- Decrease in the deep tendon reflex
- Hypothermia
- Cheyne-Stokes respiration
- Somnolence
- Seizures
- Coma
Why does severe hyponatraemia lead to central nervous system effects?
Due to swelling of the brain
What is the best way for a pharmacist to determine a patient’s volume status?
Check the medical notes
What history may be indicative of hypovolaemia?
History of fluid losses
What 2 factors in the physical examination may be indicative of hypovolaemia?
- Low blood pressure
- Turgor
What is turgor?
The ability of the skin to change shape then return to normal
What are 2 laboratory values which may be indicative of hypovolaemia?
- Greatly elevated blood urea nitrogen
- Elevated creatinine (but increased BUN- Creatinine ratio)
What are 3 medical conditions which may be indicative of hypervolaemia?
- Congestive heart failure
- Cirrhosis
- Nephrosis
What is nephrosis?
A kidney disorder which causes the kidney to excrete protein in the urine
What is a factor in the physical examination which may be indicative of hypervolaemia?
Oedema
What are 2 factors in a physical examination which may be indicative of euvolaemia?
- Normal blood pressure
- No oedema
What are 2 laboratory values which may be indicative of euvolaemia?
- Normal blood urea nitrogen
- Normal or low creatinine