Case story: Hyponatraemia
There are various ways you may engage with case stories, from individual self-directed learning to support your continuous professional development, to using them in a team environment. The idea is that by learning and reflecting on the experience of others, we will be able to enhance our approach to care.
Consider the following:
- Could this happen where I work?
- What changes within my organisation or team might I consider after reading the material, including my individual practice?
- What information should I share with the team?
- How can I share the learning from this case story?
- Who else may benefit from this learning?
Practical applications
- Consider the key elements of the case story and through reflection apply the learning to influence your practise in the future.
- Use this case study as a point of discussion at appropriate multi-disciplinary team meetings, safety huddles, and/or human factor’s training.
- Use this case study to create a multi-disciplinary simulation in the clinical area or on within mandatory training.
Key points:
Hyponatraemia is defined as a serum sodium concentration of less than 135 mmol/L.
- Mild hyponatraemia - serum sodium concentration 130–135 mmol/L.
- Moderate hyponatraemia - serum sodium concentration 125–129 mmol/L.
- Severe hyponatraemia - serum sodium concentration less than 125 mmol/L.
The cause of hyponatraemia is often multifactorial. Common causes include:
- Medications (most commonly thiazide diuretics).
- Syndrome of inappropriate antidiuresis.
- Underlying medical conditions - such as heart failure, kidney disease, and liver disease.
Symptoms include:
- Nausea, vomiting
- Headache
- Restlessness/confusion
- Fatigue
- Muscle weakness
Late symptoms
Seizure (cerebral oedema) – coma
