HEALTH FORUM

> After a single blood test showing slightly low sodium,
> Is there any reason why a nurse should not interpret
> the result alone (ie without consulting a
> doctor) and advise a patient to eat more salt??

> Tony wrote ...
>> After a single blood test showing slightly low sodium,
>> Is there any reason why a nurse should not interpret
>> the result alone (ie without consulting a
>> doctor) and advise a patient to eat more salt??
>
> Yes.
> Does the nurse know why the sodium is low?
> (For this specific person)
> Does the nurse know how this should be remedied?
> (for this specific person)
> Does the nurse know that slightly low sodium is much safer than
> excessive
> salt intake?
>
> In summary, a nurse should not be doing this.
> A specific nurse, who knows the patient, the reason for the low sodium,
> and
> how that cause should be treated, may advise the patient - if s/he feels
> safe and competent to do so.
>
> I doubt the advice would be eat more salt - unless, perhaps, the patient
> is on a holiday in Tenerife.
>
> --
> Andrew Heenan
> Real Nurse
> http://www.realnurse.net/
>
>

> Tony wrote ...
>> After a single blood test showing slightly low sodium,
>> Is there any reason why a nurse should not interpret
>> the result alone (ie without consulting a
>> doctor) and advise a patient to eat more salt??
>
> Yes.
> Does the nurse know why the sodium is low?
> (For this specific person)

> Does the nurse know how this should be remedied?
> (for this specific person)

> Does the nurse know that slightly low sodium is much safer than
> excessive
> salt intake?

>
> In summary, a nurse should not be doing this.
> A specific nurse, who knows the patient, the reason for the low sodium,
> and
> how that cause should be treated, may advise the patient - if s/he feels
> safe and competent to do so.
>
> I doubt the advice would be eat more salt - unless, perhaps, the patient
> is on a holiday in Tenerife.

> Slightly low sodium could be a relative thing...ie, they have too much
> fluid, thus making the sodium low, relatively speaking. Thus, eating more
> salt would promote more fluid retention, and thus, fluid overload.