The patient with water intoxication and decreased level of consciousness likely has a very low sodium level which will cause severe brain edema, herniation, and death, if not treated aggressively. Additionally, women of childbearing age are at an increased risk of the severe sequelae associated with hyponatremia due to hormone levels. The appropriate treatment for this patient is 100 mL of hypertonic saline over 10 minutes. It may be necessary to repeat this therapy. Administration of continuous hypertonic saline is used for patients with hyponatremia who are at low risk for herniation. Vasopressin is used to treat diabetes insipidus; this would worsen the patient’s symptoms.