Is it hypernutremia or hypernatremia

[satyadhi]

On my patient's kardex which I was going to use for my nursing care plan it says he was admitted for hypernutremia, but I am not sure if hypernutremia is even a real diagnosis because most places (textbooks, med dictionaries say what I mean is hypernatremia or increased sodium levels. So did they just make a misspelling on my patient's kardex?

[VenaKavaRN]

No such thing as hypernutremia. I'm guessing hypernatremia is the diagnosis. What are the patient's sodium levels? If they are high, you have your answer for sure.

Think about what the word means: Hyper(too much) nutr(food/nutrition) emia(in blood). Does it make sense to have too much nutrition in the blood? Not really.

[emtoh17]

Okay, this is DEFINATLY a critical thinking issue.. check your pts Na+ level. Is it normal, high, low? If it is high then there is your answer. If not, then do some investigating... was it high upon admission?? You have to stop and think and try to figure it out.

[satyadhi]

Ok good that is what I was thinking. Unfortunately I do not have access to that patient's chart so I can't check his sodium levels. The care plan isn't actually going to be used in the patient's care, it is just an assignment in order to learn how to develop a care plan. Too much nutrition in the blood wasn't making much sense to me either. I was pretty much positive it was hypernatremia, but I wanted a second opinion. I guess I will ask my clinical instructor when I turn the care plan in to her tomorrow. Thanks, for the help

[racquetmom]

Ok good that is what I was thinking. Unfortunately I do not have access to that patient's chart so I can't check his sodium levels. The care plan isn't actually going to be used in the patient's care, it is just an assignment in order to learn how to develop a care plan. Too much nutrition in the blood wasn't making much sense to me either. I was pretty much positive it was hypernatremia, but I wanted a second opinion. I guess I will ask my clinical instructor when I turn the care plan in to her tomorrow. Thanks, for the help

You have the answer so why are you asking the clinical instructor? I don't think it is a good idea to ask this question to your instructor since you already asked here and received an affirmation. Read the responses as I think your instructor will think you didn't put any thought or work into it when in fact you said you looked up in books etc, and then asked here. emtoh17 has good advice. I googled hypernutremia just to see what would come up and it states did you mean hypernatremia.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

Okay, this is DEFINATLY a critical thinking issue.. check your pts Na+ level. Is it normal, high, low? If it is high then there is your answer. If not, then do some investigating... was it high upon admission?? You have to stop and think and try to figure it out.

Exactly

[luvthegsp]

how do you have access to the Kardex but not the medical record? How are you going to write anything about this patient without ALL of the facts??

[kbm318]

how do you have access to the Kardex but not the medical record? How are you going to write anything about this patient without ALL of the facts??

^this

[FredPuma]

I don't see anything wrong in asking your instructor about it as long as you let them know what you did to find out on your own.

"Don't ask questions because you don't want to look stupid or like you couldn't do the work yourself" is a sure fire way to killing someone someday. If you don't know for sure, ask. That's what you're paying all that money for anyway- for someone to teach you.

For what it's worth- I agree it's probably hypernatremia.

[FlyingScot, RN]

Think about what the word means: Hyper(too much) nutr(food/nutrition) emia(in blood). Does it make sense to have too much nutrition in the blood? Not really.

I'm not fat I have hypernutremia!!!!!!!!!