Primary Prevention Part C: Dehydration Christine Gustafson NUR 4270: Leadership Seminar Dehydration is a condition where an individual uses or loses more fluids than taken in and the body does not have enough fluids to carry out normal functions. Some distinct features of dehydration include dry mucous membranes, decreased urine output, extreme thirst, and dark colored urine. Though anyone can be affected by dehydration, it is most commonly seen in infants and children. These two age groups have a higher prevalence of dehydration compared to other age groups. This is because total body water is found to be the highest in infants and children ranging from 73% to 85%, compared with 58% in adults (Hockenberry & Wilson, 2013). The high percentage of total body fluid predisposes infants and children to a rapid loss of fluids and consequently, causing dehydration. Additionally, those with weaker immune systems and chronic illnesses, such as the very young and very old, are more likely to develop dehydration and suffer from serious complications. More than two million infants and children are affected by dehydration in the United States, while approximately thirty …show more content…
Dehydration is a serious condition that can lead to additional problems, and even death. The best way to prevent dehydration from occurring is to ensure that everyone is consuming sufficient amounts of fluids. It is essential that parents receive proper education on the importance of following the preventative measures of dehydration. Health care professionals have to take several barriers into consideration when delivering education to patients and families, and work through the barriers to ensure appropriate care. Through proper education and adherence to the preventative measures, dehydration can be greatly decreased in infants and
Hypovolemia is the decreased of blood volume related to extracellular fluid volume insufficiency. Extracellular volume is determined by the total amount of sodium and water when osmolality is normal. Visible loss of sodium, chloride and total body water due to increased fluid loss such as diarrhea, vomiting and polyuria or inadequate fluid intake is called actual hypovolemia. When the water within the body is displaced not lost, from the intravascular space to the interstitial space, it is called relative hypovolemia. (Ignatavicius & Workman,
Dehydration can happen at any age and from a variety of primary causes including diarrhea, vomiting, use of diuretics, exercise, and exposure to extreme heat. The body has compensatory mechanisms to balance mild dehydration or fluid deficit of 2-4%; however, moderate fluid deficit of 5-8% can lead to electrolyte imbalances, postural hypotension, and dryness in skin and mucous membranes (Porth, 2011). In severe dehydration, or fluid deficits greater than 8% severe hypotension and shock can occur (Porth, 2011). The circulatory system has its own compensatory mechanisms for fluid volume deficits. These include changes in cardiac output, heart rate, and blood pressure.
There are several causes to elderly dehydration, which can be broken down into four groups: physiological factors, psychological factors, functional impairments, and mechanical impairments. (Hamilton, 2001) The physiological factors are: natural 10% body fluid loss, diminish of taste making food less appetizing and adding salt for flavor, thirst diminishes, medications that are diuretics or laxatives, and draining wounds. (Hamilton 2001) The caffeine in coffee and soda, the theophylline in tea, and the throbromine in cocoa, all raise blood pressure along with increase production and elimination of urine. (Vasey, 2002) Alcohol, on the other hand, dries out the mucous membrane causing sclerosis. (Vasey, 2002) Diarrhea, vomiting, or febrile illness also contributes to elderly dehydration. (Moore, 2005) The psychological factors are: depression which contributes to loss of appetite, purposefully decrease fluid to reduce bathroom trips. (Hamilton, 2001) The functional impairments are: coma, paralysis and N.P.O (Nothing Per Orem) patients. (Hamilton, 2001) Elderly individuals with disabilities such as: visual, cognitive or motor impairment may need assists with water intake. (Kavanaugh, 2000) Tubal feeding may need additional water in the nutr...
The very young and very old people are at a greater risk for developing dehydration quickly for some very different reasons and some similar reasons. The very young have higher metabolic rates, loss of fluids through diarrhea, and possibly immature kidneys (McCance & Huether, 2010). Children are also dependent upon caregivers, as well as some elderly. The elderly may be at a higher risk due to decreased thirst sensation, their kidneys may not be as efficient, disability limiting their access making them dependent upon others, as well as less intake due to incontinence (McCance & Huether, 2010). Whether young or older, nursing must be diligent to educate parents, the elderly and caregivers in the fluid needs, as well as possible medical needs, in relation to avoidance of dehydration.
classes for mothers to be, educating them what will happen to their babies if they drink
Vital to maintenance of homeostasis is the regulation of plasma osmolality. The Renin-Angiotensin-Aldosterone system, which works to regulate blood pressure, plays a crucial role in fluid balance. When dehydration occurs, blood osmolality increases, which stimulates the release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH), ultimately leading to increased water reabsorption. This leads to more concentrated urine, and less concentrated plasma. Low plasma osmolality works in the opposite fashion: ADH release is inhibited, water reabsorption decreases, and urine is less concentrated. The added electrolytes and carbohydrates in Gatorade would facilitate greater fluid retention through stimulation of renin and vasopressin, increasing urinary sodium reabsorption (3). Studies of both urine volume and plasma volume changes are eff...
In For the World’s Poor, Drinking Water Can Kill people are drinking non-potable water that causes
How important are fluids? Fluid replacement is probably the most important nutritional. concern for the athletes. Approximately 60% of your body weight is. water.
Although dehydration can happen to anyone, some people are at greater risk and severe cases require medical attention.
This is because only a small part of the population, particularly in developing countries, have access to water of acceptable quality. It is estimated that in some countries only 20% of the rural population has water of satisfactory quality. Based on these statistics, it is clear the urgent need for awareness about caring for water use. Almost without realizing it, we are seriously jeopardizing this essential resource, not for us but for our children's children and their generations, aware that in other parts o...
Anhydrobiois is the process through which some organisms remove their bulk water to inhibit freezing in colder temperature. Although extreme desiccation leads to dehydration, organisms can survive extreme conditions including starvation. Since there is no free water to support the diffusion of metabolic intermediates or the activity of enzymes, most anhydrobiotic organisms are ametabolic.
Scientist, doctors, and businesses alike are making claims about water. Scientists are trying to formulate data and construct studies that prove the effectiveness of using water on a daily basis. Doctors are instructing their patients to use water to help cure minor ailments and boost the overall condition of the immune system. Businesses and industries are concerned with the economic...
The scholarly article, Effects of Hydration Status on Cognitive Performance and Mood by Natalie Masento, Mark Golightly, David Field, Laurie Butler, Carien Reekum, from the School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences at the University of Reading, states consuming water is necessary for life as it is for the brain and mental functions. Masento, Golightly, Field Butler, and Reekum (2014) describes, certain groups such as elderly and infants are more susceptible to dehydration (1841). This is because these individuals are unable to gauge their thirst level (p.1842). According to the European Food Safety Authority, it is recommended to consume “2000ml of fluids for females and 2500ml for males” each day (Masento, Golightly, Field Butler, and Reekum 2014,
In some cases, children can have sores in their mouth that make it painful for children to eat and drink, which can cause dehydration or make dehydration worse. Infants are not able to tell other if they are thirsty so it is important to make sure that we provide them with enough fluids to drink. If an infant has a fever, is vomiting or has diarrhea they are at an increased risk for dehydration. They are losing more fluids than what they are able to take in. If the infant is having excessive urination they are losing more fluids than they are taking in so we need to make sure to keep the infant hydrated.
Water is an essential nutrient that our body requires every day. Without water human life cannot be sustained. Water deprivation kills faster than lack of any other nutrient. People do not think of water as a nutrient and don’t realize the important role of water in the body functions.