Hypernatremia

Question 1

What is hypernatraemia classed as?

Answer 1

Serum sodium concentration >145mmol/L.

Question 2

What is hypernatraemia due to?

Answer 2

Decrease in total body water relative to sodium

Question 3

How can hypernatraemia present?

Answer 3

Lethargy
Weakness
Thirtst
Cnfusion
Seizures
Coma

Question 4

What is the main management of hypernatraemia?

Answer 4

Prevent ongoing water loss (e.g. stop diuretics, treat diarrhoea, give antiemetics for vomiting)

Question 5

What is the next step in the management of hypernatraemia?

Answer 5

give water orally if possible, if unable give glucose 5% IV slowly

Question 6

How should the first 1/3rd of the deficit be replaced?

Answer 6

In the first 24 hours (slowly).

Question 7

What can correcting sodium too radidly result in?

Answer 7

Correcting sodium too rapidly can cause cerebral oedema