Nursing Central: Sodium, Blood

Sodium, Blood

General

Synonym/Acronym:
Serum Na⁺.

Common Use:
To assess electrolyte balance related to hydration levels and disorders such as diarrhea and vomiting and to monitor the effect of diuretic use.

Specimen:
Serum (1 mL) collected in a red- or tiger-top tube. Plasma (1 mL) collected in a green-top (heparin) tube is also acceptable.

Normal Findings:
(Method: Ion-selective electrode)

Age	Conventional Units	SI Units (Conventional Units × 1)
Cord	126–166 mEq/L	126–166 mmol/L
1–12 hr	124–156 mEq/L	124–156 mmol/L
12–24 hr	132–159 mEq/L	132–159 mmol/L
24–48 hr	134–160 mEq/L	134–160 mmol/L
48–72 hr	139–162 mEq/L	139–162 mmol/L
Newborn	135–145 mEq/L	135–145 mmol/L
7 d–1 mo	134–144 mEq/L	134–144 mmol/L
2 mo–5 mo	134–142 mEq/L	134–142 mmol/L
6 mo–1 yr	133–142 mEq/L	133–142 mmol/L
Child-Adult–older adult	135–145 mEq/L	135–145 mmol/L
Note: Older adults are at increased risk for both hypernatremia and hyponatremia. Diminished thirst, illness, and lack of mobility are common causes for hypernatremia in older adults. There are multiple causes of hyponatremia in older adults, but the most common factor may be related to the use of thiazide diuretics.

Sodium, Blood has been found in Davis's Lab & Diagnostic Tests

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