Sodium Phosphate

[silentRN]

What exactly does Sodium Phosphate do? I am constantly replacing it every morning with electrolyte orders and I've been trying to search what role it plays. Anyone know?

[GilaRRT]

It is for bowel prep. It exerts a hyperosmotic effect within the intestine (colon). This is because the large amounts of sodium have a tendency to pull water into the bowel lumen via this hyperosmotic effect. (Sodium being a charged particle and its attraction to water. Water being a polar molecule with a fair disparity between the electronegativity of oxygen versus hydrogen.) This effect promotes..well you can guess. Hope that helps.

[CuriousMe]

It's also used as a phosphate replacement. See below taken from Davis's drug guide for nurses (11e ed.)

Indications

Treatment and prevention of phosphate depletion in patients who are unable to ingest adequate dietary phosphates.

Action

Phosphate is present in bone and is involved in energy transfer and carbohydrate metabolism.

Serves as a buffer for the excretion of hydrogen ions by the kidney.

Therapeutic Effects: Replacement of phosphorus in deficiency states.

[manncer]

Usually used for phosphorus replacement IV. Disease states and conditions can cause reduced levels of phosphorus. Hyperparathyroidism, TPN's, diuretics, some antacids hypomagnesemia , low vit D levels. I assume potassium levels are high normal, or high. Usually given as k*Phos. Phosphate is a chemical present in all organs and tissue. Mediates calcium levels, etc

I assume we're talking IV replacement?

[GilaRRT]

It's also used as a phosphate replacement. See below taken from Davis's drug guide for nurses (11e ed.)

Indications

Treatment and prevention of phosphate depletion in patients who are unable to ingest adequate dietary phosphates.

Action

Phosphate is present in bone and is involved in energy transfer and carbohydrate metabolism.

Serves as a buffer for the excretion of hydrogen ions by the kidney.

Therapeutic Effects: Replacement of phosphorus in deficiency states.

Good catch. It can also be used to treat hypercalcemia if we are talking about parenteral administration.

[WalkieTalkie, RN]

I use it on our SLED patients as a PO4 replacement all the time.

[CuriousMe]

Good catch. It can also be used to treat hypercalcemia if we are talking about parenteral administration.

I vaguely remembered that it could treat hypercalcemia....but wasn't 100% sure and couldn't lay my hands on a reference quickly. Thanks for confirming!