Dehydration
Overview
Look For
- Abnormal obs - tachycardia, hypotension
- Fluid balance chart - negative fluid balance, oliguria
- Weight loss - an acute decrease in weight may indicate short-term change in fluid status
- Dry mucous membranes - especially the tongue
- Sunken eyes
- Increased capillary refill time (>2 seconds)
- Weak radial pulse
- Decreased skin turgor - pinch a fold of skin on the patient's arm and then release it. Decreased skin turgor is present if the fold takes an abnormal time to return to its normal contour.
Causes of Dehydration
- Poor fluid intake
- Fluid loss - diarrhoea, vomiting, sweating, diuresis (diabetes, diuretics)
Complications
- Seizures
- Renal failure
- Hypovolaemic shock
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