Managing Hyponatremia from Severe Vomiting: Intravenous Hypertonic 5% Saline as Optimal Treatment

The nurse is caring for a patient who has had severe vomiting. The patient’s serum sodium level is 130 mEq/L. The nurse will expect the patient’s provider to order which treatment?a. Diuretic therapyb. Intravenous hypertonic 5% salinec. Intravenous normal saline 0.9%d. Oral sodium supplements

The nurse will expect the patient’s provider to order intravenous hypertonic 5% saline as the treatment for the patient with severe vomiting and a serum sodium level of 130 mEq/L

The nurse will expect the patient’s provider to order intravenous hypertonic 5% saline as the treatment for the patient with severe vomiting and a serum sodium level of 130 mEq/L.

The serum sodium level in the body indicates the concentration of sodium ions in the bloodstream. Normal serum sodium levels range from 135-145 mEq/L. A sodium level of 130 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia, which is a low sodium concentration in the blood.

Severe vomiting can lead to dehydration and electrolyte imbalances, including hyponatremia. Hypertonic saline is a concentrated solution of sodium chloride (salt) that is used to rapidly increase the sodium levels in the blood. It’s administered intravenously, allowing for quick and precise control of the infusion rate.

Diuretic therapy, option a, involves the use of medications that increase urine production and can lower blood volume. This would not be the treatment of choice for hyponatremia resulting from severe vomiting because it further depletes fluid and electrolytes from the body, potentially worsening the condition.

Intravenous normal saline 0.9%, option c, is an isotonic solution that contains the same concentration of sodium as in the body. While it may be used initially to rehydrate the patient, it would not effectively correct the low serum sodium levels as it does not provide enough sodium to rapidly raise the levels.

Oral sodium supplements, option d, would not be appropriate in this scenario as the patient has had severe vomiting, which can impair the ability to tolerate oral intake and absorb medications. Additionally, in cases of severe hyponatremia, intravenous treatment is required for more rapid correction.

In summary, considering the severity of vomiting and the low serum sodium level, the most appropriate treatment for the patient would be intravenous hypertonic 5% saline to quickly correct the low sodium levels.

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