Guide To Electrolyte Management: Hyponatremia

OVERVIEW

This page is dedicated to discussing how to manage hyponatremia. This condition is characters by a serum sodium below <135 mmol/L. Guides on managing other electrolyte abnormalities can be found here.

Low sodium within the serum is defined as hyponatremia (source)
Low sodium within the serum is defined as hyponatremia (source)
OPTIONS FOR MANAGING THIS ELECTROLYTE ABNORMALITY

In the case of hyponatremia there are finite options that can be utilized to correct the issue. These options are listed below:

  • Isotonic saline fluids (IV normal saline): most cases of hyponatremia are corrected with isotonic saline fluids.
  • Hypertonic saline fluids (IV 3.0% saline): in severe hyponatremia (serum sodium <120 nmol/L) where patients are obtunded/having seizures should this hypertonic saline be used.
SPECIFICS REGARDING ELECTROLYTE CORRECTION

Correction rate:

In the setting of chronic hyponatremia: due to the risk of somatic demyelination syndrome, serum sodium should not be increased at rate to exceed 6-8 mmol/L/day.

 

 

Page Updated: 01.28.2017