1. What is the Corrected Sodium in DKA?

The corrected sodium calculation adjusts measured sodium levels in patients with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) to account for the dilutional effect of hyperglycemia. This provides a more accurate assessment of true sodium concentration.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the corrected sodium formula:

Where:

• \( Measured\ Na \) — Serum sodium concentration (mEq/L)
• \( Glucose \) — Blood glucose level (mg/dL)
• 1.6 — Correction factor (mEq/L per 100 mg/dL glucose above 100)

Explanation: The equation accounts for the fact that hyperglycemia causes water to shift from intracellular to extracellular space, diluting sodium concentration.

3. Importance of Corrected Sodium Calculation

Details: Accurate sodium correction is crucial for proper fluid management in DKA, as it affects decisions about fluid replacement and helps assess the severity of dehydration.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter measured sodium in mEq/L and glucose in mg/dL. Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why correct sodium in DKA?
A: Hyperglycemia causes pseudohyponatremia. Correction reveals the true sodium concentration for proper clinical assessment.

Q2: Is 1.6 the only correction factor?
A: Some sources use 2.4 for more severe hyperglycemia (>400 mg/dL), but 1.6 is most commonly used.

Q3: What is a normal corrected sodium level?
A: Normal range is 135-145 mEq/L, similar to standard sodium reference ranges.

Q4: When should corrected sodium be calculated?
A: Whenever glucose is >100 mg/dL, but especially important when glucose >200 mg/dL.

Q5: Does this apply to non-DKA hyperglycemia?
A: Yes, the correction can be applied to any hyperglycemic state, though it's most critical in DKA management.