Hypernatremia
Na > 145
- usually due to free water loss than sodium gain
Hypernatremia: PE/History
Hypernatremic causes “6 D’s”
Tx: euvolemic hypernatremia
Tx: hypovolemia hypernatremia
- if vital signs unstable, use 0.9% NaCL before correcting free water deficit
Tx: hypervolemia hypernatremia
Use diuretics and D5W to remove excess sodium
Important key facts to keep in mind during correction of hypernatremia
Hyponatremia
Na < 135mEq/L
- almost due to increased ADH
Hx/PE: hyponatremia
Dx: high osmolality hypernatremia
> 295mEq/L
- due to hyperglycemia, hypertonic infusion (e.g mannitol)
Dx: normal osmality hyponatremia
280-295mEq/L
- caused by hypertriglyceridemia, paraproteinemia (pseudohyponatremia)
Dx: low osmolality hyponatremia
< 280 mEq/L
- majoriity of cases
Tx: hypervolemia hyponatremia
Tx: euvolemia hyponatremia
water restriction
Tx: hypovolemia hyponatremia
replete volume w/ normal saline
Complication of correcting hyponatremia too quickly?
Central pontine myelinosis
– hyponatremia > 7 hrs should be corrected more than 0.5mEq/L/hr
Hyperkalemia
> 5mEq/L
Spurious hyperkalemia
Hyperkalemia 2/2 to decreased excretion
- Drugs (e.g. spironolactone, triamterene, acodisos, calcineurin)
Hyperkalemia 2/2 to cellular shifts
Hx/PE: hyperkalemia
- may present w/ nausea, vomiting, intestinal colic, areflexia, weakness
Dx: hyperkalemia
tall peaked T waves, wide QRS,
PR prolongation
loss of P waves
Tx: hyperkalemia
C BIG K DROP