The Clinical and Physiologic Significance of the Serum Sodium Concentration

Abstract

Since flame photometry has received widespread clinical application, determination of the concentration of sodium in the serum has become one of the most frequent measurements of constituents of the body fluids. Interpretation of this measurement, however, often still remains confused. It is not always appreciated that one value of the serum sodium concentration may be consistent with several different functional states. It is only when this measurement is combined with other clinical information about the patient that its full significance is obtained. The purpose of this review is to examine the physiologic states associated with alterations of serum sodium concentration . . .