QuestionSBA
QuestionChoice
Thyroid disorders are not typically the primary cause of acute hyponatraemia symptoms such as confusion.
10028093
c
Thyroid function tests
QuestionChoice
A serum osmolality test would tell you the overall concentration of solutes in the blood and help you to differentiate between true hyponatraemia and pseudohyponatraemia and also rule out hyperglycaemia, which can also cause low serum sodium.
10028091
a
Serum osmolality
QuestionChoice
This test helps differentiate between different causes of hyponatraemia once you have ruled out pseudohyponatraemia and hyperglycaemia. In conditions like SIADH, urine osmolality is high.
10028092
b
Urine osmolality
QuestionChoice
Blood cultures are important for identifying potential sources of infection, especially in a patient with confusion, but they do not directly investigate the hyponatraemia.
10028095
e
Blood Cultures
QuestionChoice
A urine dipstick can provide information about urinary sodium and specific gravity, which may help assess the cause of the hyponatraemia but is not the most appropriate initial investigation.
10028094
d
Urine dipstick
Concept
Chapter
2693
4014
Hyponatraemia
Topic
170
Clinical Chemistry
18016
A 68-year-old female presents with symptoms of headache, confusion and nausea. She has a past medical history of heart failure.


On examination, she appears lethargic and has signs of peripheral oedema.


Blood results show she has a serum sodium level of 120 mmol/L *(normal range: 135-145 mmol/L)*.


What is the most appropriate initial investigation to investigate the underlying cause of this patient's symptoms?
a