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Hypernatremia Updated 3/2011

Fae G. Wooding, PharmD, Joshua M.V. Mammen, MD, PhD, David L. Nickerson, PharmD
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BASICS

  • Description
  • Epidemiology
  • Risk Factors
  • General Prevention
  • Etiology
  • Associated Conditions

DIAGNOSIS

  • Signs and Symptoms
  • Tests
  • Differential Diagnosis

TREATMENT

  • Medication (Drugs)
  • Additional Treatment
  • In-patient Considerations

Ongoing Care

  • Follow-Up Recommendations
  • Diet
  • Patient Education
  • Prognosis
  • Complications
The following is an excerpt....
BASICS
Description
  • Serum sodium (Na) concentration level >145 mEq/L often represents a state of hyperosmolality.
  • Hypernatremia results from primary Na+ gain or water deficit.
  • Hypernatremia may exist with hypo-, hyper-, or euvolemia.
  • Hypovolemic hypernatremia: Most common type; occurs with a decrease in total body water (TBW) and a proportionataly smaller decrease in total body Na.
  • Euvolemic hypernatremia: No change in TBW with an proportionate increase in total body Na
  • Hypervolemic hypernatremia: Increase in TBW and a proportionately greater increase in total body Na
ALERT: Geriatric Considerations
  • More common in the hospitalized patient; is an independent risk factor for mortality
  • Hypernatremia may be caused by dehydration due to administration of loop diuretics.
  • Increased risk because of impaired renal function and ...

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See Also
Images >
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FIGURE 33-8 The effect of isotonic fluid volume excess and deficit and of hyponatremia and hypernatremiaon movement of water between the extracellular and intracellular fluid compartment.Credit: in practice [3rd ed.]. Philadelphia: J. B. Lippincott
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