Differentials
Assessment of hypernatraemia
SIGNS / SYMPTOMS
INVESTIGATIONS
SIGNS / SYMPTOMS
See Assessment of hypernatraemia (Differentials) for a full review of the differential diagnosis.
INVESTIGATIONS
Laboratory investigations such as urine osmolality and urine electrolytes help to distinguish the various causes.
Spurious hypernatraemia
SIGNS / SYMPTOMS
INVESTIGATIONS
SIGNS / SYMPTOMS
Extremely rare measurement error (not true hypernatraemia).
Reported with blood drawn from a venous dialysis catheter with a sodium citrate lock (the citrate used has a high concentration of sodium).[80]
Can also occur if blood is drawn from a site that is close to an infusion site where hypertonic saline is being administered.
No differentiating signs or symptoms.
INVESTIGATIONS
No differentiating tests.
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