Serum Sodium
Alternate Names : Na+, Sodium - Serum
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Special Considerations
The following factors can interfere with the test:
- recent trauma, surgery, or shock
- ingestion of large or small amounts of salt or fluid
- intravenous fluids containing sodium
- use of diuretics or certain other medications
Drugs that can increase sodium measurements include anabolic steroids, antibiotics, clonidine, corticosteroids, cough medications, laxatives, methyldopa, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory analgesics, and oral contraceptives.
Drugs that can decrease sodium measurements include carbamazepine, diuretics, sulfonylureas, triamterene, and vasopressin.
Veins and arteries vary in size from one patient to another and from one side of the body to the other. Obtaining a blood sample from some people may be more difficult than from others.
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