When the daughter of a client being treated for a traumatic brain injury asks why her mother's blood is being tested for sodium, the nurse responses:
1. "If you mother is lacking sodium, she is at risk for serious complications.".
2. "To be sure her serum sodium level is between 135 and 145 mEg/L.".
3. "Monitoring sodium levels is routine for injuries like your mother's.".
4. "It's a simple diagnostic test that gives her health care provider a lot of information.".
"If you mother is lacking sodium, she is at risk for serious complications.".
Rationale: Close monitoring of serum sodium levels is important because low levels of serum sodium, especially less than 130 mEq/L, can facilitate cerebral edema, causing decreased levels of consciousness, confusion, seizures, and even death. Educating the family about normal sodium levels does not answer the question that was asked. Suggesting that the test is done routinely for general informational purposes does not address the question effectively.
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