Which treatment should be avoided in a patient who has hypervolemic hypernatremia?

Prepare for the Adult-Gerontology Acute Care NP Certification Test. Study with interactive tools and practice questions complete with hints and explanations. Start your journey towards becoming a specialist NP today!

In hypervolemic hypernatremia, the patient has an excess of sodium and fluid in the body. This condition can arise from factors such as excessive salt intake or retention of both sodium and water. The primary goal in managing hypervolemic hypernatremia is to decrease sodium levels and restore fluid balance without exacerbating the fluid overload.

Water deprivation is not an appropriate treatment in this scenario because it would lead to further dehydration and worsen hypernatremia. The aim should be to remove excess fluid rather than withholding water, which could increase sodium concentrations. Other treatments such as the administration of isotonic fluids or hypotonic fluids may help correct the fluid imbalance, but they need to be used cautiously according to the patient's specific situation. Loop diuretics can be effective because they promote the excretion of excess sodium and fluid, which is beneficial in managing hypervolemia.

Thus, avoiding water deprivation is crucial in the treatment of hypervolemic hypernatremia as it can lead to dangerous complications and does not address the underlying issue of fluid overload.

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy