99: Hyponatremia: How Did It Happen and Why Is It So Challenging To Treat?

Treating hyponatremia, a condition characterized by low sodium levels in the blood, can be both complicated and quite risky.. Disruptions to the delicate balance of sodium in the body can lead to a spectrum of outcomes, from an asymptomatic presentation to life-threatening seizures, coma, and death.Through the patient story of Mrs. Saltman, host Sarah Lorenzini explains the role of sodium in the body, breaking down the science of osmosis and electrolytes so nurses can better understand the causes of hyponatremia. She goes over the three levels of hyponatremia that are categorized by blood tonicity and volume status, and how each level impacts the diagnosis and management of hyponatremia. Sarah also dives into the nuances of treating hyponatremia, including the risks of rapid sodium correction, the importance of knowing a patient’s baseline, the underlying cause of their condition, and more.This episode will provide nurses with the knowledge needed to recognize the signs of hyponatremia and navigate the risks of treatment. Tune in now!Topics discussed in this episode:Introduction to Mrs. Saltman’s caseThe pathophysiology of hyponatremiaCauses of hyponatremiaTypes of hyponatremia: hypertonic, hypotonic, and isotonicHyponatremia treatment strategies and their risksMentioned in this episode:Rapid Response and Rescue Intro CourseCONNECT 📸 Connect on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therapidresponsern/ 🫶 Check out my membership: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/community 📚 Check out my course: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/learnmore 🧑‍💻Check out my website: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/ 📬 Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.rapidresponseandrescue.com/login 🎁 Affiliation and discounts: https://hoo.be/therapidresponsern SAY THANKS 💜Leave a review on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/rapid-response-rn/id1535997752 💚Leave a rating on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/55LQqeDg6XFeixvZLEp4xE To get the FREE Rapid Response RN Assessment Guide and the coupon code for $10 off the cost of the course, message Sarah on Instagram @TheRapidResponseRN and type the word PODCAST! This episode was produced by Podcast Boutique https://www.podcastboutique.com

Om Podcasten

Do you want to go from dreading emergencies to feeling confident and ready to jump into action to rescue your patient? Well, this show will let you see emergencies unfold through the eyes of a Rapid Response Nurse. With real life stories from the frontlines of nursing, host Sarah Lorenzini MSN, RN, CCRN, CEN, a Rapid Response Nurse and educator, shares her experiences at rapid response events and breaks down the pathophysiology, pharmacology, and the important role the nurse plays during emergencies. If you want to sharpen your assessment skills and learn how to think like a Rapid Response Nurse, then Sarah is here to share stories, tips, tricks, and mindsets that will prepare you to approach any emergency. Every episode is packed full of exactly what you need to know to handle whatever crisis that could arise on your shift. It’s one thing to get the right answer on the test, but knowing how to detect when YOUR patient is declining and what to do when YOUR patient is crashing is what will make or break your day… and might just save your patient’s life.