Final answer:
It is acceptable to code hyponatremia when a patient's sodium level is below normal.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a coder notices on a laboratory test result that a patient's sodium is below normal, it is acceptable to code hyponatremia as true. Hyponatremia is a lower-than-normal concentration of sodium, usually associated with excess water accumulation in the body, which dilutes the sodium. It can occur due to conditions such as excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, the use of diuretics, excessive production of urine, or acidosis. Therefore, if a patient's sodium level is below normal, coding hyponatremia would be appropriate.