Question

What is the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, and treatment of dehydration? What education and interventions do you provide to geriatric patient’s that are dehydrated (they usually do not like to drink too much water because they are afraid they won’t make it to the bathroom in time)? What steps are you going to do as a nurse to stay hydrated and keep your kidney’s functioning properly when working on that crazy thing called “the floor”? Do you think most nurses on “the floor” are dehydrated?

Answer 1

1) Etiology of dehydration

The main reason of dehydration is the output is more than the intake.

Let us discuss some causes of dehydration.

.inadequate water intake

.greater loss of fluid from the body

.or a combination of both

Some etiological factors are listed below.

.vomiting

.burns: blood vessels can become damaged, causing fluid to leak out into the surrounding tissues.

.diabetes:frequent urination leads to dehydration

.frequent urination:underlying diseases or use of some medications leads to frequent urination leads to dehydration

.sweating

2) pathophysiology of dehydration

Etiological factors such as decreased intake, increased output (renal, gastrointestinal [GI], or insensible losses), or fluid shift (ascites, effusions, and capillary leak states such as burns and sepsis) > Negative fluid balance > The decrease in total body water causes reductions in both the intracellular and extracellular fluid volumes.

3) treatment

.Fluid

Intake of adequate amount of fluid or intravenous administration of fluids

. Intravenous therapy

. Instruct to avoid caffeine

.Underlying conditions that are causing dehydration should also be treated with the appropriate medication