Table 1.

Management of the correction of hyponatraemia based on symptoms, time of onset and volume status. Information from the UK National Institute of Clinical Excellence Guidelines.²

	Management of hyponatraemia
Acute hyponatraemia and no/mild symptoms	Stop non-essential parenteral fluids and medications which provoke hyponatraemia
Acute hyponatraemia and moderate to severe symptoms	Hypertonic saline to correct any cerebral oedema
Chronic hyponatraemia (>48 hours) and no/mild symptoms	Usually can be managed in an outpatient setting
Chronic hyponatraemia (>48 hours) and moderate to severe symptoms	Stop non-essential parenteral fluids and medications that provoke hyponatraemia
Plus the following management based on fluid status
Hypovolaemia	Restore extracellular volume with 0.9% saline
Hypervolaemia	Fluid restrict