Pathophysiology
SIADH is diagnosed as a collection of symptoms that take place with otherwise normal function. This syndrome is characterized by hyponatremia, concentration of urine and dilution of blood. The patient has an adequate amount of blood, but it is more dilute than normal. SIADH causes the body to retain fluid resulting in decreased electrolyte balance.
Etiology
SIADH is caused as an effect of other disorders, often nervous system disorders such as epilepsy, Guillain-Barre syndrome or head trauma, or cancers of the pulmonary, brain, GI and genitourinary systems. It is caused when the hypothalamus is stimulated to produce excess amounts of AVP (arginine vasopressin) which is an antidiuretic hormone (ADH) that triggers the kidneys to retain fluid in the tubules and excrete sodium. As the amount of fluid builds up in the cells and tissues, it creates an imbalance of electrolytes, specifically sodium, causing hyponatremia. The excess fluid dilutes the blood instead of being excreted causing the urine to become concentrated.
Desired Outcome
Patient will maintain normal electrolyte and fluid balance
Syndrome of Inappropriate Antidiuretic Hormone (SIADH) Nursing Care Plan
Subjective Data:
- Nausea
- Muscle cramps
- Depression, irritability
- Fatigue
Objective Data:
- Vomiting
- Hypothermia
- Tremors
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Coma
- Edema
- Signs of Volume Overload
Nursing Interventions and Rationales
- Monitor I & O, daily weights
Patients may be on fluid restrictions to help balance intake and output. Monitor for retention through calculated intake and output and with daily weights at the same time on the same scale each day.
- Continuous ECG monitoring
Changes in electrolyte balance can disrupt the electrical conduction in the heart causing dysrhythmias.
- Assess and monitor vital signs every 1-2 hours
Fluid shifts can occur quickly causing changes in blood pressure and heart rate. Most often patients will experience hypotension.
- Assess and monitor respiratory status; note changes in respiration, auscultate lungs
Excess fluid volume can settle in and around the lungs and heart. Monitor for signs of congestion, difficulty breathing. SIADH can also be triggered by pneumonia, so monitor for the underlying cause as well.
- Administer medication and electrolyte supplements appropriately
- Electrolyte supplements (potassium)
- Demeclocycline or lithium – stops the kidneys from responding to extra ADH
Supplements may be given to regulate electrolyte imbalance. Carefully administer supplements to avoid overloading too quickly
- Monitor lab / diagnostic values
- Serum potassium
- Serum sodium
- Serum chloride
- Serum osmolality (concentration)
- Urine specific gravity
Hyponatremia is the hallmark of SIADH. Monitor lab values to determine if treatment is effective.
References
Cornell Note-Taking System Instructions:
- Record: During the lecture, use the note-taking column to record the lecture using telegraphic sentences.
- Questions: As soon after class as possible, formulate questions based onthe notes in the right-hand column. Writing questions helps to clarifymeanings, reveal relationships, establish continuity, and strengthenmemory. Also, the writing of questions sets up a perfect stage for exam-studying later.
- Recite: Cover the note-taking column with a sheet of paper. Then, looking at the questions or cue-words in the question and cue column only, say aloud, in your own words, the answers to the questions, facts, or ideas indicated by the cue-words.
- Reflect: Reflect on the material by asking yourself questions, for example: “What’s the significance of these facts? What principle are they based on? How can I apply them? How do they fit in with what I already know? What’s beyond them?
- Review: Spend at least ten minutes every week reviewing all your previous notes. If you do, you’ll retain a great deal for current use, as well as, for the exam.
For more information, visit www.nursing.com/cornell
