Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse (CMSRN) Practice Exam 2025 - Free CMSRN Practice Questions and Study Guide

The recommended treatment for true hyponatremia is to replace sodium and water, as this approach addresses both the low sodium levels and the necessary fluid balance. True hyponatremia is characterized by a deficiency in sodium concentration in the extracellular fluid. Consequently, simply restricting or replacing fluids without addressing the underlying sodium deficit could lead to further imbalances and complications.

The duality of replacing both sodium and water simultaneously helps to prevent rapid corrections, which can be detrimental and lead to osmotic demyelination syndrome. This method is necessary because individuals with true hyponatremia may also be volume depleted or have underlying conditions that affect both sodium and fluid levels.

In the case of administering therapies such as fluid restriction or hypertonic saline, those treatments can be applicable in certain contexts, such as specific types of hyponatremia or in cases where fluid overload is a concern, but they do not address the requirement for sodium replacement, which is critical in the management of true hyponatremia. Addressing both aspects is essential for restoring proper physiological function and ensuring patient safety.