skip to main content

SSRI hyponatraemia — GPhC CRA MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

ModerateAdverse Drug Reactions and Drug SafetySSRI hyponatraemiaGPhC CRA

An 82-year-old woman started sertraline 2 weeks ago and now has confusion, falls and headache while taking bendroflumethiazide. What is the most appropriate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: E — Refer urgently for sodium check and clinical assessment

SSRIs can cause hyponatraemia, especially in older people and with thiazide diuretics. This makes refer urgently for sodium check and clinical assessment the single best answer in this scenario. The other options would either miss the key safety issue, delay appropriate review, or fail to meet the relevant clinical or professional requirement.

Reference: BNF; NICE CKS