Timedora
Free Online Flashcard Deck

2 Severe Sodium Abnormalities Free Online FlashCards

Study 2 Severe Sodium Abnormalities with 12 free online flashcards. Review key terms, definitions, and concepts with this interactive flashcard deck.

12 cards
01
Front

Why can severe hyponatremia cause cerebral edema?

Back

Water shifts into brain cells, which can cause cerebral edema.

02
Front

What is the urgent treatment for severe symptomatic hyponatremia?

Back

Give 3% hypertonic saline promptly under experienced supervision, following the local emergency protocol.

03
Front

What delayed neurologic injury can follow rapid correction of chronic hyponatremia?

Back

Rapid correction of chronic hyponatremia can cause osmotic demyelination syndrome, a potentially severe neurologic injury.

04
Front

What does hypernatremia usually indicate?

Back

It usually reflects too little body water relative to sodium.

05
Front

Why monitor urine output during sodium correction?

Back

Check sodium frequently and monitor urine output; a sudden increase in urine output can signal unexpectedly rapid sodium correction.

06
Front

How does hypernatremia affect brain cells?

Back

Water shifts out of brain cells, causing cellular dehydration; neurologic symptoms can include confusion, seizures, and coma.

07
Front

What initial sodium rise is targeted in severe symptomatic hyponatremia?

Back

Aim for a small, controlled rise of about 4–6 mmol/L4\text{–}6\ \mathrm{mmol/L} to reduce severe symptoms.

08
Front

Should severe hyponatremia be normalized immediately?

Back

No. Once severe symptoms improve or the initial target rise is reached, avoid unnecessary additional correction.

09
Front

Which factors increase risk of osmotic demyelination syndrome?

Back

Risk factors include alcohol use disorder, malnutrition, very low starting sodium, and hypokalemia.

10
Front

What correction limit is generally used for high-risk hyponatremia patients?

Back

For high-risk patients, a conservative limit is generally no more than 8 mmol/L8\ \mathrm{mmol/L} in any 2424 hours.

11
Front

What correction limits are commonly used for patients not at high risk?

Back

Common limits are about 10 mmol/L10\ \mathrm{mmol/L} in the first 2424 hours and 18 mmol/L18\ \mathrm{mmol/L} over 4848 hours; protocols vary.

12
Front

What is the first fluid priority for hypernatremia with hypotension?

Back

Restore circulation first with isotonic crystalloid when the patient is intravascularly depleted or in shock.