Abstract
Introduction: Ordering multiple laboratory tests has become commonplace in contemporary medical practice. Clinicians are sometimes surprised by abnormal test results that are unrelated to the chief complaint. Misguided attempts to correct abnormal lab values can potentially compromise patient safety. We report what we believe to be a rare occurrence of pseudohyponatremia complicating pregnancy.
Highlights
Ordering multiple laboratory tests has become commonplace in contemporary medical practice.Clinicians are sometimes surprised by abnormal test results that are unrelated to the chief complaint.Misguided attempts to correct abnormal lab values can potentially compromise patient safety
It must be remembered that serum sodium in pregnancy decreases physiologically by 3–5 mEq/L, necessitating adjustment of values used to define the normal range
Elevated serum proteins and lipids may be mortality associated with hyponatremia often leads causes of pseudohyponatremia
Summary
Ordering multiple laboratory tests has become commonplace in contemporary medical practice. Clinicians are sometimes surprised by abnormal test results that are unrelated to the chief complaint. Misguided attempts to correct abnormal lab values can potentially compromise patient safety. We report what we believe to be a rare occurrence of pseudohyponatremia complicating pregnancy. Case Report: A 28-year-old woman with pregestational diabetes at 21 weeks gestation was admitted with a chief complaint of headache. An electrolyte panel revealed a serum sodium of 111 mEq/L. A repeat sodium level was unchanged at 111 mEq/L. The diagnosis of pseudohyponatremia was confirmed using direct potentiometry. Conclusion: Pseudohyponatremia should be considered prior to initiating corrective measures for hyponatremia, especially in an asymptomatic patient
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