Sodium

Authors

Keywords:

sodium, extracellular cation, osmolality

Abstract

Sodium is a major extracellular cation. It is a significant determinant of the osmolality of the plasma. Human cells are bathed in salty water, so the osmolality must be regulated. The primary cause of dysnatraemias (abnormal sodium concentrations), hyper- and hypo-, is caused by the imbalance of electrolyte-free fluid intake and loss.1 Clinicians must look at correcting the fluid abnormality instead of focusing on serum sodium. Dysnatraemias are a significant cause of morbidity in intensive care unit (ICU) patients, with an incidence of up to 27% in ICU patients compared to 0.2% in general ward patients.2,3

Author Biography

EM Semenya, University of the Witwatersrand

Department of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Helen Joseph Hospital, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa

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Published

2023-11-24

Issue

FCA Refresher Course 2023

Section

FCA Refresher Course

License

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