Sodium

[MM2007]

Hello, im i right in thiking that one possible cause of a high Na+ is dehydration, so what would be causes for low (over rehydration) ?, also when doctors prescribe iv fluids how do they know what amount to give, what bloods do they look at.

Thanks.

[GabrielasMadre]

Hyponatremia can be caused by diuretic use, diarrhea, heart failure, and renal disease. Basically the MD will order CMP/BMP to monitor fluid and electrolyte balance. He/She may discontinue the diuretic, treat diarrhea, but more than likely he/she will start the patient on IVF for rehydration. If the patient is receiving nutrition via PEG Tube then the MD may change the H2O flushes to NSS flushes.

Hope this helps.

GabrielasMadre

[GingerSue]

hyponatremia can result from loss or sodium-containing fluids or from water excess.

Causes of hyponatremia caused by water excess are inappropriate use of sodium-free or hypotonic IV fluids. This may occur in clients after surgery or major trauma, during administration of fluids in clients with renal failure, or in clients with psychiatric disorders associated with excessive water intake. SIADH will result in dilutional hyponatremia caused by abnormal retention of water.

Losses of sodium-rich body fluids from the GI tract, kidney, or skin indirectly result in hyponatremia. Beecause these fluids are either isotonic or hypotonic, sodium is lost with an equal or greater proportion of water. Hyponatremia develops as the body responds to the fluid volume deficit with activation of the thirst mechanism and by releasing ADH. The resultant retention of water lowers the sodium concentration.