Which treatment is indicated for hypovolemic hypernatremia?

In the context of hypovolemic hypernatremia, the goal of treatment is to restore the intravascular volume and correct the hypernatremia safely. Normal Saline, which is a balanced crystalloid solution containing 0.9% sodium chloride, is indicated because it helps to volume resuscitate the patient while simultaneously providing sodium, which is crucial in reversing hypovolemia.

Hypovolemic hypernatremia typically arises from a loss of water that exceeds sodium loss, often due to conditions such as dehydration from inadequate fluid intake or excessive fluid losses. Administering Normal Saline addresses both the low fluid volume (hypovolemia) and helps maintain sodium balance.

Other solutions such as D5W (5% Dextrose) or Half Normal Saline (0.45% saline) could further dilute sodium levels rather than restore volume adequately. Therefore, while they may seem beneficial for correcting hypernatremia, they do not effectively address the underlying hypovolemic state. Lactated Ringer's solution, while it can help with volume replacement and is often used in resuscitation, contains potassium and lactate, making it less ideal for managing hypernatremia compared to Normal Saline