Which are symptoms of hyponatremia?

• A. Nausea/vomiting, headache, malaise, confusion, diminished reflexes, convulsions, stupor, and coma
• B. Rash and itching only
• C. Fever and chills only
• D. Shortness of breath and chest pain only

Answer: (A)

Hyponatremia lowers the sodium concentration in the blood, making body fluids hypotonic relative to brain cells. Water shifts into brain cells, causing cerebral edema, which leads to a progression of symptoms from mild to life-threatening. Early signs often include nausea, vomiting, malaise, and headache, and as the condition worsens, more severe neurologic symptoms appear—confusion, diminished reflexes, seizures, stupor, and coma. This combination of gastrointestinal upset plus a spectrum of central nervous system signs is classic for hyponatremia, which is why that option best fits. Choices describing rash and itching, fever and chills, or shortness of breath with chest pain point to other conditions rather than hyponatremia.