Electrolyte Management in Critical Care · NCLEX Exam

What must be considered when correcting hypernatremia in a critical care unit?

  1. Hypotonic fluids may always be given without any monitoring
  2. Limit sodium reduction to about 10-12 mEq/L per 24 hours
  3. Rapid correction reliably shortens overall ICU length of stay
  4. Only enteral sodium restriction is required for correction
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Correct answer: Limit sodium reduction to about 10-12 mEq/L per 24 hours

In ICU settings, rapid correction of hypernatremia risks cerebral edema; hence careful, gradual correction is required.

Difficulty: Hard Question 13 of 15

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