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a simple case introducing clincial presentation and calling for a differential diagnosis to get students thinking.
Volume expansion occurs when salt and water intake exceeds renal and extrarenal losses.
Primary renal sodium retention, leading to increased effective circulating volume, occurs with:
Secondary renal sodium retention, leading to decreased effective circulating volume, occurs with:
The net effect of causes of sodium and water retention is increased capillary hydrostatic pressures which shift fluids from the vasculature to the interstitial space.
cardiovascular
respiratory
skin
decreased hematocrit and serum protein
Dietary sodium restriction in combination with diuretics is the mainstay of treatment.
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