Hypernatremia: A systems-based approach

Hypernatremia is a commonly encountered disorder in hospitalized patients in which the plasma sodium concentration exceeds 145 mM. The clinical approach to hypernatremia is often challenging for clinicians, as the underlying pathophysiology is complex and serious complications can result from its improper management. As such, the purpose of this manuscript is to provide the reader with a systematic clinical approach to the diagnosis and management of patients with hypernatremia. The following core competencies are addressed in this article: Patient care, Medical knowledge.