A serum sodium level of 150 mEq/L indicates which condition?

A serum sodium level of 150 mEq/L is indicative of hypernatremia, which occurs when there is an excess of sodium in the blood, typically as a result of dehydration. This condition often arises when there is a significant loss of water, either due to inadequate fluid intake or excessive fluid loss (such as through sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting).

In cases of dehydration, the overall volume of water in the body decreases, but the sodium levels can appear elevated because the sodium is less diluted in the serum. Health professionals often look to correlate sodium levels with hydration status; elevated sodium levels typically signal that the body is experiencing a deficit in water relative to sodium, hence supporting the diagnosis of dehydration.

This interpretation highlights the physiological relationship between sodium levels and body fluid balance, emphasizing the importance of hydration in maintaining normal serum sodium concentrations.