Use of Urine Electrolytes and Urine Osmolality in the Clinical Diagnosis of Fluid, Electrolytes, and Acid-Base Disorders

We discuss the use of urine electrolytes and urine osmolality in the clinical diagnosis of patients with fluid, electrolytes, and acid-base disorders, emphasizing their physiological basis, their utility, and the caveats and limitations in their use. While our focus is on information obtained from measurements in the urine, clinical diagnosis in these patients must integrate information obtained from the history, the physical examination, and other laboratory data.

Automated summary

This article discusses the use of urine electrolytes and urine osmolality in clinical diagnosis, highlighting their physiological basis, utility, and limitations. It emphasizes the importance of integrating information obtained from the history, physical examination, and other laboratory data in diagnosing patients with fluid, electrolytes, and acid-base disorders.