In the context of reducing risk for hypernatremia and delayed gastric emptying, which supplement should be questioned?

In the context of reducing risk for hypernatremia and delayed gastric emptying, which supplement should be questioned?

• A. Protein supplements
• B. Salt tablets
• C. Sports drinks
• D. Vitamin C

Answer: (B)

The key idea is that too much sodium load can push a burn patient toward hypernatremia and can also create an osmotic environment in the stomach that slows gastric emptying. Salt tablets deliver concentrated sodium without adequate water, so in a patient who already has large evaporative losses and shifts from burns, adding these tablets increases the risk of a high serum sodium level. The high osmolality of a sodium chloride tablet can also create an osmotic burden in the gut, which slows gastric emptying and worsens delayed gastric emptying. Protein supplements and vitamin C generally don’t add a problematic sodium load, and sports drinks, while they contain electrolytes, usually provide a more balanced profile and are less likely to cause a rapid hypernatremic shift when used appropriately. Therefore, salt tablets are the supplement you’d question to reduce the risk of hypernatremia and delayed gastric emptying.

The key idea is that too much sodium load can push a burn patient toward hypernatremia and can also create an osmotic environment in the stomach that slows gastric emptying. Salt tablets deliver concentrated sodium without adequate water, so in a patient who already has large evaporative losses and shifts from burns, adding these tablets increases the risk of a high serum sodium level. The high osmolality of a sodium chloride tablet can also create an osmotic burden in the gut, which slows gastric emptying and worsens delayed gastric emptying.

Protein supplements and vitamin C generally don’t add a problematic sodium load, and sports drinks, while they contain electrolytes, usually provide a more balanced profile and are less likely to cause a rapid hypernatremic shift when used appropriately. Therefore, salt tablets are the supplement you’d question to reduce the risk of hypernatremia and delayed gastric emptying.