PAEA Surgery End Of Rotation (EOR) Practice Exam

Which state can lead to euvolemic hyponatremia?

1. Severe pain or nausea

2. Dehydration

3. Diabetes mellitus

4. Chronic kidney disease

The correct answer is: Severe pain or nausea

Euvolemic hyponatremia is a condition characterized by a low serum sodium concentration despite normal fluid volume status. Severe pain or nausea can stimulate the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), also known as vasopressin, which promotes water retention by the kidneys. This increase in water retention can dilute sodium levels in the blood, leading to hyponatremia while still maintaining euvolemia, as there is no significant change in total body water or sodium. In contrast, dehydration typically results in hypovolemic hyponatremia, where both water and sodium losses occur, but the loss of sodium is greater than that of water. Diabetes mellitus can lead to hyperglycemia, which affects sodium concentration, but it does not typically cause euvolemic hyponatremia directly. Chronic kidney disease may lead to various electrolyte imbalances, but it is often associated with volume overload or malregulation of sodium and water excretion, contributing to a different type of hyponatremia rather than euvolemic.