The nurse is performing an assessment on a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of dehydration. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect to note?
Question
The nurse is performing an assessment on a client admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of dehydration. Which assessment finding would the nurse expect to note?
Solution
In a patient diagnosed with dehydration, the nurse would expect to note the following assessment findings:
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Dry or sticky mouth: This is one of the most common signs of dehydration. The patient may also have a coated tongue.
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Decreased skin turgor: This is checked by pinching the skin on the back of the hand, lower arm, or abdomen between two fingers so that it is tented up. Normally, the skin will snap back into place. In a dehydrated patient, the skin returns to normal more slowly.
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Low urine output: The body tries to hold on to water when it's dehydrated, so urine output may decrease and the urine that is produced may be darker than normal.
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Increased heart rate: Dehydration can cause a rapid heart rate as the body tries to compensate for the decreased volume of blood.
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Low blood pressure: Especially when moving from a lying to a standing position, which is known as orthostatic hypotension.
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Confusion or lethargy: This can occur as dehydration affects the brain.
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Sunken eyes or dry tears: This is more commonly seen in severe dehydration.
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Increased body temperature: Dehydration can cause a fever, but this is usually seen in severe cases.
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Thirst: While this may seem obvious, it's important to note that thirst isn't always a reliable gauge of the body's need for water, especially in older adults.
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Unexplained tiredness: Dehydration can make you feel tired or fatigued.
These symptoms can vary depending on the severity of the dehydration. It's also important to note that these symptoms can be caused by conditions other than dehydration.
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