Hyponatremia In Older Adults
| Hyponatremia in the Older Adult | 168344 | | Vivienne Ellison 09039422 | 8/6/2011 |
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Hyponatremia in the older adult.
Management of defects in water homeostasis in the elderly is often difficult because of age related changes and diseases that are associated with impairment of water metabolism. The feeling of thirst is often impaired in the elderly (Kugler, 2000). Hyponatremia is a serum sodium concentration of less than the normal 137 mmol per litre (Farrell, 2007). This essay will explore why this condition happens to the older adult (over 65 years) and how to assess for it. The effects of this condition on the elderly will be explored. Problems that make it difficult …show more content…
It controls water distribution through the body and a loss of sodium is usually accompanied by a loss of water (Farrell, 2007). The normal range for serum sodium level is 135 to 145 mEq/l (Bruck, 2005). Sodium in the body is determined by how much salt is in the diet and how the intestines absorb it (Bruck, 2005). Sodium helps to maintain normal blood pressure, supports the work of the nerves, muscles, and regulates the body’s fluid balance. When the sodium level in the body becomes too low, extra water enters the cells and causes them to swell. This can lead to swelling in the brain, which is especially dangerous because the brain is in a confined space and cannot expand without causing rising intracranial pressure. This condition is called …show more content…
This may be due to disease process or because regulatory function is impaired. The signs and symptoms of hyponatremia can be confused with other conditions however; blood test results will clearly show a low sodium level. There are many treatment stratergies, which aim to treat the underlying causes. Hyponatremia is a condition that requires treatment to correct cerebral oedema. Even those who are asymptomatic will benefit from treatment as they are at greater risk of falls and injury. Hospitals have been shown to be good at treating initial presentations of hyponatremia but not as good at identifying developing cases of hyponatremia. Nurses can become more aware of this condition by regular checking of laboratory results and following through with fluid restrictions as directed, daily weighs, and good fluid balance documentation. As patients in a confused state are not always able to communicate well, nurses must check electrolyte balances to rule out this cause for confusion or lower level of consciousness. Nurses must continue to check for possible side effects of their patients current
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Hyponatremia in the older adult.
Management of defects in water homeostasis in the elderly is often difficult because of age related changes and diseases that are associated with impairment of water metabolism. The feeling of thirst is often impaired in the elderly (Kugler, 2000). Hyponatremia is a serum sodium concentration of less than the normal 137 mmol per litre (Farrell, 2007). This essay will explore why this condition happens to the older adult (over 65 years) and how to assess for it. The effects of this condition on the elderly will be explored. Problems that make it difficult …show more content…
It controls water distribution through the body and a loss of sodium is usually accompanied by a loss of water (Farrell, 2007). The normal range for serum sodium level is 135 to 145 mEq/l (Bruck, 2005). Sodium in the body is determined by how much salt is in the diet and how the intestines absorb it (Bruck, 2005). Sodium helps to maintain normal blood pressure, supports the work of the nerves, muscles, and regulates the body’s fluid balance. When the sodium level in the body becomes too low, extra water enters the cells and causes them to swell. This can lead to swelling in the brain, which is especially dangerous because the brain is in a confined space and cannot expand without causing rising intracranial pressure. This condition is called …show more content…
This may be due to disease process or because regulatory function is impaired. The signs and symptoms of hyponatremia can be confused with other conditions however; blood test results will clearly show a low sodium level. There are many treatment stratergies, which aim to treat the underlying causes. Hyponatremia is a condition that requires treatment to correct cerebral oedema. Even those who are asymptomatic will benefit from treatment as they are at greater risk of falls and injury. Hospitals have been shown to be good at treating initial presentations of hyponatremia but not as good at identifying developing cases of hyponatremia. Nurses can become more aware of this condition by regular checking of laboratory results and following through with fluid restrictions as directed, daily weighs, and good fluid balance documentation. As patients in a confused state are not always able to communicate well, nurses must check electrolyte balances to rule out this cause for confusion or lower level of consciousness. Nurses must continue to check for possible side effects of their patients current