Hypernatremia Lecture Notes

Presenter

• Sarah from Registered Nurse RN

Overview

• This lecture covers Hypernatremia, including causes, signs and symptoms, and nursing interventions.
• Previous video covered Hyponatremia.
• Resources include a quiz on the website for further practice.

Key Concepts

Understanding the Term

• Hypernatremia: "Hyper" means excessive, "Na" refers to sodium, "emia" means blood.
• Condition: Excessive sodium in the blood.
• Normal Sodium Levels: 135-145 mEq/L. Hypernatremia is above 145 mEq/L.

Role of Sodium

• Sodium helps move water between intracellular and extracellular spaces.
• Sodium and water are closely linked; water follows sodium.

Cellular Impact

• Blood tests measure extracellular sodium levels.
• High sodium concentration outside cells causes water to move out, leading to cell dehydration and shrinkage (osmosis).

Causes of Hypernatremia

• Mnemonic: "HIGH SALT"
  • H: Hypercortisolism (Cushing's syndrome): Overproduction of aldosterone, leading to sodium retention.
  • I: Increased sodium intake through diet or IV solutions.
  • G: GI tube feedings without adequate water supplements.
  • H: Hypertonic solutions like 3% saline.
  • S: Sodium excretion decrease due to corticosteroids.
  • A: Aldosterone issues leading to increased sodium reabsorption.
  • L: Loss of fluids from fever or sweating (dehydration).
  • T: Thirst impairment, especially in the elderly.

Signs and Symptoms

• Mnemonic: "FRIED"
  • F: Fever and flushed skin.
  • R: Restlessness and irritability.
  • I: Increased fluid retention, abdominal swelling.
  • E: Edema and extreme confusion.
  • D: Decreased urinary output and dry mouth/skin.

Nursing Interventions

• Restrict Sodium Intake: Familiarize with high-sodium foods (e.g., bacon, canned foods, cheese, processed foods).
• Ensure Patient Safety: Maintain close monitoring due to confusion and agitation.
• Fluid Therapy: Administer isotonic or hypotonic IV solutions (e.g., 0.45% saline) slowly to prevent cerebral edema.
• Patient Education: Teach proper diet and recognize signs of high sodium levels.

Additional Resources

• Visit RegisteredNurseRN.com for quizzes and additional videos on electrolyte imbalances.
• Subscribe to their YouTube channel for more educational content.