Dehydration
Pathophysiology-Venus > Unit 5
Osmoreceptors detect a decreased blood volume and increased blood concentration of salt and stimulate
Ans: THIRST
Other than measuring fluid intake and output, how can fluid changes be accurately measured in the body? Select all that apply.
Urinary frequency
Blood pressure
Fluid challenge
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Weight
| Read Aloud | Rate Content |
Submit
© 2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
Measuring Fluid Changes
Other than measuring fluid intake and output, how can fluid changes be accurately measured in the body? Select all that apply.
Urinary frequency
Blood pressure
Fluid challenge
Electrocardiogram (ECG)
Weight
Review FeedbackClose & Continue
Your response is incorrect!
Fluid balance within the body can best be assessed by measuring an individual’s weight daily. As fluid levels decrease, weight also decreases. As fluid is retained in the body, weight increases. A drastic change in weight in a 24 hour period, 2-5 pounds depending on the size and age of the person, is significant. An additional indication of decreasing fluid levels is how frequently someone is urinating. As the body becomes dehydrated, less water is excreted through the kidneys, resulting in fewer trips to the bathroom. Although this is an inaccurate means to determine the extent of dehydration, it is a cue to consider when assessing fluid status.
An electrocardiogram reflects the electrical activity in the heart, which is not impacted by changes in total body fluid. Blood pressure reflects the volume of blood in the vasculature and the strength of cardiac contraction. While it may change with fluid status, it is not the most reliable measure of total body fluid status. A fluid challenge involves administering a small volume of fluid quickly to identify and treat volume deficit. The fluid challenge does not measure fluid changes.
| Read Aloud | Rate Content |
Submit
© 2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
Dehydration Signs
Bulging eyes Itching No tears 1 Dark teeth Cracked tongue Excessive saliva 2 Dry skin Excess moisture Mottling 3 Dry lips Open sores Swelling 4 Bleeding Dry mucosa Clear discharge 5 Alopecia Flaky scalp Oily hair 6
Review FeedbackClose & Continue
Your response is incorrect!
Eyes: Loss of water causes the body to stop producing tears. Itching and bulging eyes are associated with allergies and hyperthyroidism, respectively.
Tongue: A decrease in production of saliva occurs when an individual is dehydrated, resulting in a dry, cracked tongue. Saliva production is less, not excessive. Dark teeth are not a direct result of dehydration.
Skin: As dehydration worsens, the skin may become dry. Excess moisture and mottling do not result from dehydration.
Lips: Just as the tongue and skin become dry, the lips will dry and may crack. Dehydration does not lead to swelling of the lips or open sores.
Nose: The nasal mucosa will also become dry, rather than having clear drainage or bleeding.
Scalp: The scalp and hair may also become dry with serious dehydration. Oily hair and alopecia are not caused by dehydration.
✖
What clues (symptoms) would alert you that you are dehydrated?
- No tears
- Cracked tongue
- Dry skin
- Flaky scalp
- Dry mucosa
- Dry lips
| · Read Aloud | Rate Content |
Submit
© 2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
Cellular Changes Due to Dehydration
Match each type of dehydration to the proper cell.
Isotonic Hypotonic Hypertonic 1 Isotonic Hypotonic Hypertonic 2 Isotonic Hypotonic Hypertonic 3
Review FeedbackClose & Continue
Your response is incorrect!
| Read Aloud | Rate Content |
Submit
© 2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
Types of Dehydration
Match the type of dehydration with the correct definition.
The interpretation of the client’s lab work indicated they lost fluid and electrolytes equally.
Hypertonic
The interpretation of the client’s lab work indicated they lost more electrolytes than fluid.
Hypotonic
The interpretation of the client’s lab work indicated they lost more fluid than electrolytes.
Isotonic
Drag and drop the correct answers into the boxes. You can also click the correct answer, then the box where it should go. Reset my answers.
Review FeedbackClose & Continue
Your response is incorrect!
Isotonic: The interpretation of the client’s lab work indicated they lost fluid and electrolytes equally.
Hypotonic: The interpretation of the client’s lab work indicated they lost more electrolytes than fluid.
Hypertonic: The interpretation of the client’s lab work indicated they lost more fluid than electrolytes.
| Read Aloud | Rate Content |
Submit
© 2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
Common Reasons for Dehydration
What are some common reasons for dehydration? Select all that apply.
Decreased fluid intake
Increased fluid intake
Diarrhea
Medications (diuretics)
Bleeding from trauma
Vomiting
Review FeedbackClose & Continue
Your response is incorrect!
Diarrhea, vomiting, decreased fluid intake, medications (including diuretics), and bleeding from trauma are causes of dehydration.
Increased fluid intake will support normal hydration. If fluid intake is greater than fluid output, it may cause overhydration.
| Read Aloud | Rate Content |
Submit
© 2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
Signs of Dehydration
What are some signs and symptoms of dehydration? Select all that apply.
Increased urine output
Confusion
Dry mucosal membranes
Decreased urine output
Restlessness
Fatigue
Review FeedbackClose & Continue
Your response is incorrect!
Signs of dehydration include fatigue, decreased urine output, dry mucosal membranes, and confusion.
Weakness and lethargy (not restlessness) are associated with dehydration. There is a decrease (not increase) in urine output unless there is another underlying cause for increased urine output like diabetes insipidus.
| Read Aloud | Rate Content |
Submit
© 2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
At Risk for Dehydration
Why are infants and older adults at higher risk of dehydration? Select all that apply.
Decreased thirst sensation in older adults
Infants cry a lot
Infants’ inability to vocalize
Both infants and older adults lack fluid reserves in their body
Older adults are not focused
Review FeedbackClose & Continue
Your response is incorrect!
Infants’ bodies are made up of a larger percentage of water. Infants are unable to vocalize if they are thirsty. As we age, our thirst sensation diminishes. Older adults and infants also lack fluid reserves.
| Read Aloud | Rate Content |
Submit
© 2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
Dehydration
| Lab | Normal | Triage |
| Serum Sodium | 135-145 mEq/L | 160 mEq/L |
Question 1 / 3
Based on the assessment data, what hypothesis can be made about her underlying condition?
She should eat at home more often.
Her diet contains too much sodium.
She has food poisoning.
She is dehydrated.
Review FeedbackClose & Continue
Your response is incorrect!
The assessment cues of a low-grade fever, rapid and weak pulse, low blood pressure, decreased urinary output, and increased serum sodium support the hypothesis of dehydration.
Although she may have food poisoning and should eat at home more often, the data does not support either assumption. In a healthy individual, the body’s ability to maintain a normal sodium level is not greatly impacted by a diet high in sodium.
| Read Aloud | Rate Content |
Submit
© 2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
Dehydration
| Lab | Normal | Triage |
| Serum Sodium | 135-145 mEq/L | 160 mEq/L |
Question 2 / 3
Which external signs of severe dehydration would the healthcare provider look for in your 69-year-old grandmother? Select all that apply.
Confusion
Sunken eyes
Cool, dry skin
Headache
Dizziness
Review FeedbackClose & Continue
Your response is incorrect!
Confusion, sunken eyes, and dizziness are symptoms of severe dehydration.
The skin becomes cool and dry in the early stages of dehydration, progressing to warm and dry as the fluid loss gets worse. Headaches also begin in the early stages of dehydration, making this an unreliable indicator of severe dehydration.
| Read Aloud | Rate Content |
Submit
© 2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
Dehydration
| Lab | Normal | Triage |
| Serum Sodium | 135-145 mEq/L | 160 mEq/L |
Question 3 / 3
What interventions do you expect the healthcare provider to prescribe for your grandmother?
Administer a hypotonic solution and monitor urinary output
No interventions expected
Restrict fluid intake and monitor daily weights
Administer hypertonic fluid and administer sodium tablets
Review FeedbackClose & Continue
Your response is incorrect!
A hypotonic solution is one in which the concentration of solutes is greater inside the cell than outside of it, which will pull more water out of the cells, making dehydration worse, so the hypotonic solution will help hydrate the cell.
A hypertonic solution is one where the concentration of solutes is greater outside the cell than inside it. Restricting fluid intake would increase dehydration. Intervention is necessary for the client.
| Read Aloud | Rate Content |
Submit
© 2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
Signs and Symptoms of Dehydration
Identify whether the signs and symptoms below relate to mild/moderate or severe dehydration.
| Mild or Moderate Dehydration | Severe Dehydration | |
| Thirst | ||
| Dry, warm skin | ||
| Feeling dizzy | ||
| Muscle cramps | ||
| Sunken eyes | ||
| Dry or sticky mouth | ||
| Dry, cool skin | ||
| Fainting | ||
| Rapid heartbeat |
Review FeedbackClose & Continue
Your response is incorrect!
Signs of mild or moderate dehydration include:
- thirst
- dry or sticky mouth
- not peeing very much
- dark yellow pee
- dry, cool skin
- headache
- muscle cramps
Signs of severe dehydration include:
- not urinating or having very dark yellow urine
- dry, warm skin
- feeling dizzy
- rapid heartbeat
- rapid breathing
- sunken eyes
- sleepiness, lack of energy, confusion, or irritability
- fainting
| · Read Aloud | Rate Content |
Submit
© 2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
Treating Isotonic Dehydration
What type of solution would you use to keep this cell “normal?”
Hypertonic
Isotonic
Hypotonic
Review FeedbackClose & Continue
Your response is incorrect!
Isotonic is correct because it is neutral and will not change the shape of the cell.
A solution with a lower concentration is hypotonic and will push into the cell causing it to swell. A hypertonic solution will dehydrate the cell and it will shrink.
| Read Aloud | Rate Content |
Submit
© 2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
Treating Hypertonic Dehydration
What type of solution would you use to make this cell “normal?”
Hypertonic
Isotonic
Hypotonic
Review FeedbackClose & Continue
Your response is correct!
Hypotonic is correct. A solution with lower concentration is hypotonic and will push into the cell because of the high concentration inside the cell.
The solution with a lower concentration of solutes (higher concentration of water) will push water into the cell because of the high concentration of solutes in the cell and low concentration of solvent in the cell. A hypertonic solution will dehydrate the cell and will not return the shape to “normal.”
| Read Aloud | Rate Content |
Submit
© 2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
Treating Hypotonic Dehydration
What type of solution would you use to make this cell “normal?”
Hypotonic
Hypertonic
Isotonic
Review FeedbackClose & Continue
Your response is correct!
Hypertonic is correct. A solution with higher concentration is hypertonic and will pull the fluid out of the cell.
An isotonic solution will not create a shift in fluids. A hypotonic solution will cause the cell to continue to swell.
| Read Aloud | Rate Content |
Submit
© 2022 Chamberlain University LLC. All rights reserved.
Drinking Salt Water
Based on what you know about tonicity, what type of dehydration will occur in the body if you were to consume salt water from the ocean?
Hypertonic
Isotonic
Hypotonic
Review FeedbackClose & Continue
Your response is correct!
Hypertonic dehydration will occur because the fluid will leave the cells to dilute the intravascular sodium.
For more information, consider watching this video: “What Happens When You Drink Seawater?” [2:46].
After Skool. (2017, April 4). What happens when you drink seawater? [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/Nu6A-eZ05fE
