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Abstract Hypernatremia is defined as a serum sodium concentration exceeding 145 mmol/L. It is a hyperosmolar state and arises because of a mismatch between total body sodium and total body water. The causes of hypernatremia include osmoreceptor or thirst dysfunction, excessive water or hypotonic fluid losses, and, rarely, sodium gain. Considering the normal physiologic response to hyperosmolality is useful in assessing and treating hypernatremic patients. Treatment of hypernatremia involves replacing the lost hypotonic fluid and treating the underlying etiology. Calculating the free water deficit or estimating the effect of one liter of intravenous fluid on a patient's sodium level are useful guidelines for initial treatment, but they do not replace strict sodium monitoring.
Alosaimi et al. (Thu,) studied this question.