Ace the 2026 Basic and Clinical Sciences Challenge – Test Your Brain and Boost Your Brilliance!

Hypernatremia, which is defined as an elevated concentration of sodium in the blood, often leads to the body attempting to correct the osmotic imbalance caused by excess sodium. This condition can result in a decrease in urine output as the kidneys respond to conserve water in an effort to dilute the high sodium levels. When plasma osmolality increases due to hypernatremia, the body senses this change and signals the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), which promotes water reabsorption in the kidneys.

As a consequence, patients may experience concentrated urine and decreased urine volume, as the body works to retain as much water as possible to restore balance. This physiological response is crucial to avoid dehydration and maintain homeostasis, particularly in states where there is a loss of water (such as from sweating or diarrhea) or increased sodium intake.

In contrast, other options such as increased urine output, rapid weight loss, and increased blood pressure do not directly correlate with the body’s typical response to hypernatremia. Increased urine output would suggest the opposite mechanism, where the body is excreting excess fluid rather than retaining it. Therefore, understanding the physiological adaptations to hypernatremia is key to recognizing decreased urine output as a primary clinical