Sodium Supplementation Calculation in Burn Patient

A patient with severe burns over 30% of their body surface area is being treated in the intensive care unit. The burn injury has led to significant fluid shifts, prompting the need for careful electrolyte management. On initial assessment, the nursing team finds that the patient has a sodium level of 125 mEq/L and a potassium level of 5.8 mEq/L. Both levels indicate a disturbance in normal electrolyte balance. To correct these imbalances, the healthcare provider orders an intravenous infusion of hypertonic saline. Calculate the necessary sodium supplementation to achieve a target sodium level of 135 mEq/L. Fill in the blank with the total mEq of sodium required for this patient. Remember to consider the existing sodium level during your calculations.