A nurse is teaching a client who has heart failure about the importance of limiting sodium intake. The client asks, "How does sodium affect my condition?” Which of the following responses should the nurse make?

Choice A reason:

A hypertonic solution is one that has a higher concentration of solutes than the blood plasma. Administering a hypertonic solution to a client who has hypovolemia would cause water to move out of the cells and into the blood vessels, resulting in cellular dehydration and increased blood pressure. This could worsen the client's condition and cause complications such as cerebral edema, pulmonary edema, or heart failure.

Choice B reason:

A hypotonic solution is one that has a lower concentration of solutes than the blood plasma. Administering a hypotonic solution to a client who has hypovolemia would cause water to move from the blood vessels into the cells, resulting in cellular swelling and decreased blood pressure. This could also worsen the client's condition and cause complications such as fluid overload, hyponatremia, or hemolysis.

Choice C reason:

An isotonic solution is one that has the same concentration of solutes as the blood plasma. Administering an isotonic solution to a client who has hypovolemia would help restore the fluid volume and maintain the osmotic pressure of the blood. This could improve the client's condition and prevent complications such as shock, acidosis, or organ failure. Examples of isotonic solutions are 0.9% sodium chloride (normal saline) and lactated Ringer's solution.

Choice D reason:

A colloid solution is one that contains large molecules that do not cross the capillary membrane. Administering a colloid solution to a client who has hypovolemia would increase the oncotic pressure of the blood and draw water from the interstitial space into the blood vessels. This could also improve the client's condition and prevent complications such as shock, acidosis, or organ failure. Examples of colloid solutions are albumin, dextran, and hetastarch.

Choice A reason:

Sodium attracts water and increases the fluid volume in your blood vessels. This is the correct answer because sodium is an electrolyte that helps regulate the balance of fluids in the body. When there is too much sodium in the blood, it draws water from the cells and tissues into the blood vessels, increasing the blood volume and pressure. This puts extra strain on the heart and can worsen heart failure symptoms.

Choice B reason:

Sodium causes water to move out of your cells and into your urine. This is incorrect because sodium does not cause water to move out of the cells and into the urine. In fact, sodium can cause water retention by stimulating the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which reduces urine output and increases blood volume.

Choice C reason:

Sodium stimulates your kidneys to retain water and decrease urine output. This is incorrect because sodium does not directly stimulate the kidneys to retain water and decrease urine output. However, sodium can indirectly affect the kidney function by increasing the blood volume and pressure, which can damage the kidney cells and impair their ability to filter waste and excess fluid from the body.

Choice D reason:

Sodium interferes with the action of your heart medications. This is incorrect because sodium does not interfere with the action of your heart medications. However, some heart medications, such as diuretics, can cause sodium loss in the urine, which can lead to low blood sodium levels (hyponatremia) This can cause symptoms such as confusion, weakness, nausea, and muscle cramps. Therefore, it is important to monitor your sodium intake and blood levels while taking heart medications.