Which of the following may cause hypernatremia in enterally fed patients?

Hypernatremia, or elevated sodium levels in the blood, can occur in patients receiving enteral nutrition. One potential cause of hypernatremia in this context is the use of certain medications.

Penicillin G Sodium is particularly relevant because it is a sodium salt of penicillin and can contribute to increased sodium levels in the blood, especially in patients who may already be vulnerable due to their nutritional status or underlying health issues. The administration of this medication can lead to an increase in serum sodium as it introduces additional sodium into the body.

The other options, while they have various effects, do not directly contribute to hypernatremia in the same way that penicillin G Sodium does. Diuretics and laxatives primarily work by either promoting the excretion of sodium or affecting bowel movement, which may lead to dehydration and changes in sodium balance but are not direct sources of sodium. Penicillin G Potassium, on the other hand, is potassium-based rather than sodium-based and does not typically contribute to hypernatremia.

Thus, penicillin G Sodium is the most direct cause of hypernatremia among the listed choices and highlights the importance of considering the composition of medications when managing nutrition in enterally fed patients.