Question

A 70-year-old man with pneumonia is found to have a serum sodium of 160 mmol/L. He is clinically dehydrated. Over what approximate maximum rate should his serum sodium be corrected to avoid cerebral oedema?

Accepted Answer

No more than 10-12 mmol/L per day

Answer

20 mmol/L per hour

Answer

10-12 mmol/L per hour

Answer

No limit; correct as quickly as possible

Answer

Sodium should not be corrected at all

Practice question

A 70-year-old man with pneumonia is found to have a serum sodium of 160 mmol/L. He is clinically dehydrated. Over what approximate maximum rate should his serum sodium be corrected to avoid cerebral oedema?