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Sodium Correction Rate — SCE Medical Oncology MCQ

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ModerateOncological EmergenciesSodium Correction RateSCE Medical Oncology

A 58-year-old woman with SIADH from SCLC has Na 116 mmol/L. What is the maximum safe sodium correction rate in 24 hours?

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Correct answer: BMaximum 10 mmol/L per 24 hours (some guidelines ≤8) — overcorrection risks osmotic demyelination syndrome (central pontine myelinolysis)

Hyponatraemia correction: ≤10 mmol/L/24h (conservative: ≤8). For symptomatic severe: initial 100-150mL 3% NaCl bolus. Frequent monitoring every 2-4h. Desmopressin clamp prevents overcorrection.

Reference: NICE; Sterns et al NEJM 2015