If a patient becomes hypovolemic due to natriuresis in a hypertensive emergency, what should the nurse do?

In the context of hypovolemia resulting from natriuresis during a hypertensive emergency, administering normal saline IV is appropriate because it helps restore the patient's intravascular volume. Normal saline is an isotonic solution that can effectively increase blood volume, thus improving renal perfusion and enhancing blood pressure stabilization.

In a hypertensive emergency, the primary concern is to control elevated blood pressure and manage symptoms while ensuring adequate organ perfusion. If the patient is hypovolemic, introducing normal saline helps mitigate the effects of fluid loss due to excessive diuresis (natriuresis).

Using sodium in the IV fluid or vasoconstrictors could exacerbate the problem if not monitored carefully, as they may not address hypovolemia directly and can lead to complications if the patient’s volume status isn't restored. Ceasing antihypertensive therapy abruptly could also result in a rebound hypertension effect, leading to further complications. Therefore, normal saline is the safest and most effective choice in this scenario.