Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
c. Renal failure
d. Chronic malnutrition
D. Assessment
1. Cardiovascular
a. Thready, increased pulse rate
b. Decreased blood pressure and orthostatic (postural) hypotension
c. Flat neck and hand veins in dependent positions
d. Diminished peripheral pulses
2. Respiratory: Increased rate and depth of respirations
3. Neuromuscular
a. Decreased central nervous system activity, from lethargy to coma
b. Fever
4. Renal
a. Decreased urinary output
b. Increased urinary specific gravity
5. Integumentary
a. Dry skin
b. Poor turgor, tenting present
c. Dry mouth
6. Gastrointestinal
a. Decreased motility and diminished bowel sounds
b. Constipation
c. Thirst
d. Decreased body weight
7. Hypotonic dehydration: skeletal muscle weakness
8. Hypertonic dehydration
a. Hyperactive deep tendon reflexes
b. Pitting edema
Laboratory findings
a. Increased serum osmolality
b. Increased hematocrit
c. Increased blood urea nitrogen (BUN) level
d. Increased serum sodium level
Interventions
1. Monitor cardiovascular, respiratory, neuromuscular, renal, integumentary, and
gastrointestinal status.
2. Prevent further fluid losses and increase fluid compartment volumes to normal ranges.
3. Provide oral rehydration therapy if possible and intravenous (IV) fluid replacement if
the dehydration is severe; monitor intake and output.
4. Generally, isotonic dehydration is treated with isotonic fluid solutions, hypertonic
dehydration with hypotonic fluid solutions, and hypotonic dehydration with hypertonic
fluid solutions.
5. Administer medications as prescribed such as antidiarrheal, antimicrobial, antiemetic,
and antipyretic medications, to correct the cause and treat any symptoms.
6. Administer oxygen as prescribed.
7. Monitor electrolyte values and prepare to administer medication to treat an imbalance,
if present.