Hyponatremia with Dr. Joel Topf

You are in for a treat as Dr. Joel Topf, aka @kidney_boy, gives us the low down on hyponatremia. Dr. Topf discusses this condition in a way that is helpful for nurses by reviewing clinical concepts without getting into unneeded nitty gritty.

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Important clinical concept: Serum sodium is measuring the amount of sodium in the body in relation to the amount of water. Just because a patient it hyponatremic doesn’t mean their overall sodium levels are low.

Types of Hyponatremia

Hyponatremia is categorized by the overall volume status of the patient.

Hypovolemic

Ex: Gastroenteritis

The problem with these patients is that they are not producing enough urine. An isotonic fluid bolus will often fix the hyponatremia.

Hypervolemic

Ex: CHF, cirrhosis

There is an overall excess amount of sodium in the body, however, there is little urine output.

Euvolemic

Ex: SIADH, excessive water intake (psychogenic polydipsia, water drinking contents), beer potomania/tea-and-toast syndrome, iatrogenic

Treatment for SIADH

• Fluid restrictions. Dr. Topf points out that this method is often ineffective.
• Hypertonic saline. Saved for emergent cases, when there is concern for seizures. Presents risk of osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS).
• Sodium, Potassium, or Urea tabs. The goal with these is to increase urine volume, not to replace electrolytes
• Tolvaptan. Blocks ADH. Very effective; very expensive.
• Loops Diuretics. Increase urine output, thus increasing serum sodium concentration.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST FROM DR. JOEL TOPF

“Takeda Oncology made a donation to MM4MM the program that took me to Mount Everest in 2018.

In 2020, I participated in multiple advisory boards for Bayer. I am also part of subgroup advising them on social media strategies.

In June 2020, I participated in an advisory board for Tricida.

I am the president of NephJC, a 503c organization that supports social media in medical education. NephJC has multiple industry and academic supporters.”

You are in for a treat as Dr. Joel Topf, aka @kidney_boy, gives us the low down on hyponatremia. Dr. Topf discusses this condition in a way that is helpful for nurses by reviewing clinical concepts without getting into unneeded nitty gritty.

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Up My Nursing Game is partnering with VCU Health Continuing Education to offer FREE continuing education credits for registered nurses. Click here to obtain nursing credit (1.00).

See the show notes at upmynursinggame.com.