Normal blood Na+ levels are 136-148 mEq/L
An elderly patient has a blood Na+ of 105 mEq/L. Describe the patient's condition and the signs and symptoms that usually accompany that condition. Be sure to include the functions of Na+ in the body in your answer.
What will be an ideal response
The patient has hyponatremia, or low Na+ concentration in the blood. The body uses Na+ in the depolarization phase of action potentials and in maintaining osmotic balance. Sometimes elderly people lose the ability to concentrate urine and lose too much Na+. Other causes of hyponatremia include inadequate dietary intake or gastrointestinal upsets such as diarrhea and vomiting. Typical signs and symptoms of hyponatremia include muscular weakness, dizziness, headache, tachycardia, hypotension, confusion, stupor and coma.
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