de
Week 5
Dehydration- Dehydration is the imbalance of fluid between the intracellular and
extracellular components. When the intra- and extracellular compartments are in balance the
body maintains blood volume thro
...
de
Week 5
Dehydration- Dehydration is the imbalance of fluid between the intracellular and
extracellular components. When the intra- and extracellular compartments are in balance the
body maintains blood volume through regulation by the kidneys, hormones (antidiuretic
hormone and aldosterone), and solutes such as sodium, potassium, proteins, and glucose
Dehydration
o A common problem, increased risk of diarrhea
o Infants and young children are at the highest risk
o Body fluids make up 75% of an infant’s body weight
o Infants/toddlers’ high ratio of surface area to weight equals more body loss through evaporation
Assessing dehydration
o History of present illness (HPI): quantity and frequency of fluid intake, vomiting, and/or diarrhea,
urine output or number of wet diapers in 24 hours, duration or degree of fever, types of
medications, underlying diseases
o Weight is the most essential measure in calculating body fluid loss
o Physical exam (PE): vital signs, color, capillary refill, skin turgor, dryness of lips and mucous
membranes, lack of tears, sunken fontanelles, output, and mental status
Avoid caffeine, assessing level of thirst late sign of dehydration
When more than 10% of body weight is lost without replacement, dehydration can become life
threatening. If a child is vomiting and has diarrhea, water loss can be significant
Determine hydration status (skin turgor, mucous membranes, peripheral pulses, tears, capillary
filling).
Dehydration is classified as mild (<3% weight loss when compared with recent current weight in
older children and 5% in infants), moderate (6% in older children and 10% in infants), or severe
(9% or greater in older children and 15% or greater in infants)
Dehydration is overwhelmingly the result of an infectious process, primarily viral, that often
causes diarrhea. Children are at increased risk due to their higher surface area–to-volume
ratios, higher rate of insensible loss, and in younger children the inability to communicate or
actively replenish losses
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