What is this?
Excessive sodium in the blood
Sodium Levels in Hypernatremia?
> 145
What is Hypernatremia
Is a water problem rather than a sodium problem. This is because when the body collects sodium, it causes a lot of water retention and this is what causes the patients problem
Role of Sodium when it comese to Hypernatremia
There is a lot of sodium outside the cell and this attracts the water from inside the cell, which will cause water to move outside the cell and dehydrate the cell. Sodium also plays a role un muscle, nerves, and organ functions
Saying for Causees of Hypernatremia?
“High Salt”
“(H)igh Salt”
Hypercortisolism (Cushing’s Syndrome), hyperventilation
“H(I)gh Salt”
Increased intake of sodium (oral or IV route)
“Hi(g)h Salt”
GI feeding (tube) without adequate water supplements
“Hig(h) Salt”
Hypertonic solutions
“High (S)alt”
Sodium excretion decreased (body keeping too much sodium) and corticosteroids
“High S(a)lt”
Aldosterone overproduction (Hyperaldosteronism)
“High Sa(l)t”
Loss of fluids (dehydrated) infection (fever), sweating, diarrhea, and diabetes insipidus
“High Sal(t)”
Thirst impairment
Saying for Signs & Symptoms of Hypernatremia
“No FRIED food for you” (too much salt)
“No (F)RIED food for you!”
Fever ,Flushed skin
“No F(R)IED food for you!”
Restless, really agitated
“No FR(I)ED food for you!”
Increased fluid retention
“No FRI(E)D food for you!”
Edema, Extremely Confused
“No FRIE(D) food for you!”
Decreased Urine Output, Dry Mouth/Skin
What do you restrict in hypernatremia?
Restrict sodium intake! Know foods high in salt such as bacon, butter, canned food, cheese, hot dogs, lunch meat, processed food, and table salt.
Patient safety with hypernatremia?
Keep patient safe because they will be confused and agitated.
Nursing Intervention for Hypernatremia?
Doctor may order to give isotonic or hypotonic solutions such as 0.45% NS (which is hypotonic and most commonly used). Give hypotonic fluids slowly because brain tissue is at risk due to the shifting of fluids back into the cell (remember the cell is dehydrated with hypernatremia) and the patient is at risk for cerebral edema. In other words, the cell can lyse if fluids are administered too quickly.
Education for Hypernatremia?
Educate patient and family about sign and symptoms of high sodium level and proper foods to eat.