Medical Health Encyclopedia

Fractional excretion of sodium


InjuryDiseasesNutritionPoison
SymptomsSurgeryTestSpecial Topic
Male urinary system
Male urinary system
Overview Results Risks Prevention
Alternative Names

FE sodium; FENa


What the risks are

The urine sample has no risk. The risks of drawing blood include:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Fainting or feeling lightheaded
  • Hematoma (blood accumulating under the skin)
  • Infection (a slight risk any time the skin is broken)
  • Multiple punctures to locate veins

Special considerations

The test is only of value in specific circumstances such as sudden reduced urine output.



Review Date: 11/30/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Herbert Y. Lin, MD, PHD, Nephrologist, Massachusetts General Hospital; Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).




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