DEHYDRATION

PRESENTED BY: POTREENA A. RAJAHBUAYAN

DEHYDRATION
Dehydration

is the excessive loss of water from body tissues accompanied by an imbalance in essential electrolytes, such as sodium, potassium, and chloride. It occurs when the amount of water leaving the body is greater than the amount being taken in. The body is very dynamic and always changing.

 Total

body water also varies in relation to age, gender, and amount of body fat. Adult males have approximately 60% water content, adult females have 50%, infants have an estimated 77%, and the elderly have 46% to 52%. An increase in body fat causes a decrease in the percent fluid content because fat does not contain significant amounts of water.

THREE MAIN TYPES OF DEHYDRATION BASED ON TYPE OF FLUID LOSS:

Hypotonic

or hyponatremic primarily a loss of electrolytes, particularly sodium. or hypernatremic primarily a loss

Hypertonic

of water.
Isotonic

or isonatremic equal loss of water and electrolytes.

THREE TYPES OF DEHYDRATION BASED ON SEVERITY:

Mild

when the body has lost about 2% of its total fluid. when the total fluid loss reaches

Moderate

5%.
Severe

when the body reaches 10% fluid loss, considered a emergency

CAUSES:
Diarrhea

Vomiting
Sweat Diabetes Inability Burns

to drink fluids

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS:

Dry

Mouth The eyes stop making tears Sweating may stop Muscle Cramps Nausea & Vomiting Heart Palpitations Light headedness (especially when standing) Weakness Decreased urine output

COMPLICATIONS:
Kidney Coma Shock

failure

Heat-related

illnesses and associated complications Electrolyte abnormalities

Body weight
10 pounds
20 pounds 30 pounds

Daily fluid requirements (approximate

15 ounces
30 ounces 40 ounces

40 pounds
50 pounds 75 pounds

45 ounces
50 ounces 55 ounces

100 pounds
150 pounds 200 pounds

50 ounces
65 ounces 70 ounces

THE HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER'S EXAMINATION OF THE PATIENT WILL ASSESS THE LEVEL OF DEHYDRATION. INITIAL
EVALUATIONS MAY INCLUDE:

Mental status tests to evaluate whether the patient is awake, alert, and oriented. Infants and children may appear listless and have whiny cries and decreased muscle tone. Vital signs may include postural readings (blood pressure and pulse rate are taken lying down and standing). Temperature may be measured to assess fever. Skin may be checked to see if sweat is present and to assess the degree of elasticity (turgor) The mouth can become dry and the health care practitioner may look or feel the tongue for fluid.

Infants may have additional evaluations performed, including checking for a soft spot on the skull (sunken fontanel). Pediatric patients are often weighed during routine child visits, thus a body weight measurement may be helpful in assessing how much water has been lost with the acute illness. Laboratory testing The purpose of blood tests is to assess potential electrolytes abnormalities (including sodium, potassium, and chloride levels) associated with the dehydration. Urinalysis may be ordered to determine urine concentration, the more concentrated the urine, the more dehydrated the patient.

TREATMENT:
Drinking fluids is usually enough for mild dehydration. It is better to drink small amounts of fluid often instead of trying to force large amounts of fluid at one time.

Electrolyte solutions or freezer pops are very effective.

Intravenous fluids and a hospital stay may be needed for moderate to severe dehydration. The health care provider will try to identify and then treat the cause of the dehydration.

Eat nutritious foods and vegetables such as : bananas and orange.

Do not drink coffee, colas, or other drinks that contain caffeine. They increase urine output and make you dehydrate faster.

Provide frequent, oral care. Wear cotton made shirts to prevent sweating.

 Loperamide

(Imodium) may be considered to control diarrhea. If the affected individual has a fever, or if there is blood in the diarrhea, medical advice should be obtained before administering medications to control diarrhea. or ibuprofen may be used to

Acetaminophen

control fever.
Avoid

alcohol consumption, especially when it is very hot, because alcohol increases water loss and impairs your ability to recognize early signs associated with dehydration.

PROGNOSIS:
Rapid

recognition and treatment of dehydration will result in a successful outcome. In the absence of complications, fluid balance is usually restored. If not treated quickly, severe dehydration can result in cardiovascular collapse, seizures, permanent brain damage, or death.

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