Emergency Medicine Practice Test 2026 – Complete Exam Preparation

The major complication of rapid correction of hyponatremia is central pontine myelinolysis. This neurological disorder occurs due to the rapid shift of sodium levels in the body. When hyponatremia is corrected too quickly, especially when sodium levels increase by more than 12 mEq/L within 24 hours, the osmotic balance in the central nervous system can be disrupted. The brain cells, which have adapted to a low sodium environment, start to swell, and a rapid correction can lead to demyelination in the pons, resulting in central pontine myelinolysis.

This condition can have serious consequences, including movement disorders, bulbar dysfunction, and in severe cases, can be life-threatening. Understanding the risks associated with managing sodium levels is critical in emergency medicine, as it highlights the need for careful monitoring and gradual correction when treating hyponatremia to prevent such complications.