Sodium Losses Through An Ileostomy??

Mar 08, 2007 12:37 AM

by ginger58

Premium Member

I had a pt with an ileostomy (I don't know where exactly) and her GI doc said she has documented sodium loss and is on salt tabs when she's at home.
A renal doc came in and said that was impossible to lose sodium via an ostomy.
If this is true, would someone please explain to me why this is impossible?

Thanks.

Tiwi · Mar 08, 2007, 08:55 AM

Re: Sodium Losses Through An Ileostomy??

Is this patient on dialysis / in renal failure / have a renal impairment? I was just wondering if there would be any relationship between that and sodium loss. I know nothing about renal except basics, so I am just asking...

I would have thought that you would lose sodium via an ileostomy.

*ginger58* · Mar 08, 2007, 11:03 AM

Re: Sodium Losses Through An Ileostomy??

The pt didn't have any of those. She had a long history of Crohn's disease and then had the ileostomy within the last several years. She was above 70 years old.

Bubonic Betty · Mar 15, 2008, 04:29 PM

Re: Sodium Losses Through An Ileostomy??

This thread is a prime example of why in another post I said that not enough doctors know how to care for ostomy patients.

It sounds like he is confusing it for a colostomy and not an ileostomy.
An ileostomy (especially if a pt has active Crohn's) will lose electrolytes.
Btw, if she is on sodium tabs how is her potassium? Hydration will also need to be monitored.

New To Site	Need Help	Quick Links
Create An Account General Site Map allnurses.com Journals Terms Of Service Privacy Policy Testimonials Meet Our Staff Advertising Information	Information Center & FAQ Boards of Nursing How-To Video Tutorials Did you forget your password? Compare Membership Contact allnurses.com Text Version Mark All Sections As Read	United States Nursing International Nursing Nursing Specialty Advanced Practice Nursing Critical Care Nursing Nursing Specialties Get In Touch... Find Us On Facebook Follow Us On Twitter

Sodium Losses Through An Ileostomy??

Sodium Losses Through An Ileostomy??

Nursing News

Interesting article on ThedaCare's Collaborative Care Model

Possible breakthrough regarding MS

16th Philly area hospital to stop delivering babies: Mercy...

Really interesting article on Indian open hearts

High-Tech Pump Does What Her Heart Can't

Air Force RN Found Not Guilty

California Imposes Stricter Rules Regarding Drug Abuse In...

Are older nurses being forced out of the profession?

An outlook in California?

Australian surgeons successfully separate conjoined twins

Available Topics (tags)