Mild hyponatremia is characterized by gastrointestinal symptoms in the patient including nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite, but may also include transient neurological symptoms such as gait disturbance and mild confusion (Sahay, M. & Sahay, R., 2014). Marathon runners are especially at risk for mild hyponatremia, This is because of the excessive amounts of water they consume in response to the ADH hormone being excreted because of their high amount of fluid loss (Sahay, M. & Sahay, R., 2014). I would expect that this is what JG is experiencing, as well as possibly some mild dehydration. However, she could also be experiencing acute hyponatremia. This is characterized as developing in less than 48 hours in the patient, and manifests as
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& Sahay, R., 2014). The BUN/creatinine levels may also be abnormal, with a ratio of 20:1 or greater, if the patient is also experiencing dehydration (Sahay, M. & Sahay, R., 2014). I would first assess for her fluid volume status by looking for signs and symptoms of alterations in fluid volume status including edema, orthostatic blood pressure changes, dry mucous membranes, increasing pulse rate, and decreased pulse rate (Sahay, M. & Sahay, R., 2014). I would want to thoroughly assess the patient's level of consciousness to see how much neurological involvement is occurring. I would monitor for acute changes in vital …show more content…
& Sahay, R., 2014). This is done to prevent brain herniation (Sahay, M. & Sahay, R., 2014). If this was mild hyponatremia, I would expect less of an aggressive mode of treatment. This may include fluid restrictions, salt tablets with loop diuretics, and an alternative of vasopressin initiation (Sahay, M. & Sahay, R., 2014). Nursing interventions would include strict intake and output to monitor fluid replacement/ retention, instituting seizure precautions, routinely monitoring the patient's level of consciousness, enforcing fluid restrictions, monitoring vital signs frequently, commonly every hour, and monitoring serum sodium levels (Sahay, M. & Sahay, R., 2014). I would also want to provide adequate education to my patients about their condition. This could include educating about adequate intake of sodium, which is recommended to be 2300 mg per day for persons aged 2 or up, and that persons aged 51 and older, are African American, have diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or high blood pressure should limit to 1500 mg per day (CDC, 2015). It could also include the probably cause of the patient's hyponatremia, in this case it is probable that it was the patient's long-distance running history. I would educate about consuming large amounts of water over an extended period of time to
& Sahay, R., 2014). The BUN/creatinine levels may also be abnormal, with a ratio of 20:1 or greater, if the patient is also experiencing dehydration (Sahay, M. & Sahay, R., 2014). I would first assess for her fluid volume status by looking for signs and symptoms of alterations in fluid volume status including edema, orthostatic blood pressure changes, dry mucous membranes, increasing pulse rate, and decreased pulse rate (Sahay, M. & Sahay, R., 2014). I would want to thoroughly assess the patient's level of consciousness to see how much neurological involvement is occurring. I would monitor for acute changes in vital …show more content…
& Sahay, R., 2014). This is done to prevent brain herniation (Sahay, M. & Sahay, R., 2014). If this was mild hyponatremia, I would expect less of an aggressive mode of treatment. This may include fluid restrictions, salt tablets with loop diuretics, and an alternative of vasopressin initiation (Sahay, M. & Sahay, R., 2014). Nursing interventions would include strict intake and output to monitor fluid replacement/ retention, instituting seizure precautions, routinely monitoring the patient's level of consciousness, enforcing fluid restrictions, monitoring vital signs frequently, commonly every hour, and monitoring serum sodium levels (Sahay, M. & Sahay, R., 2014). I would also want to provide adequate education to my patients about their condition. This could include educating about adequate intake of sodium, which is recommended to be 2300 mg per day for persons aged 2 or up, and that persons aged 51 and older, are African American, have diabetes, chronic kidney disease, or high blood pressure should limit to 1500 mg per day (CDC, 2015). It could also include the probably cause of the patient's hyponatremia, in this case it is probable that it was the patient's long-distance running history. I would educate about consuming large amounts of water over an extended period of time to