Dehydration

• Fill in the blanks

  A) Irritable

  B) Alert

  C) Decreased consciousness

  D) Normal

  E) Sunken

  F) Very sunken

  G) Moist

  H) Dry

  I) Very dry

  J) Present

  K) Reduced

  L) Absent

  M) Normal

  N) Reduced

  O) Greatly reduced

  P) Normal

  Q) Increased

  R) Very increased or decreased

  S) Normal

  T) Increased

  U) Rapid, deep

  V) slow/irregular

  W) Normal, < 2 secs

  X) Prolonged, >/= 2 secs

  Y) Prolonged, >/= 2 secs

  Z) Normal

  [) Normal

  \) Hypotension

  ]) Normal

  ^) Reduced

  _) Severely reduced or absent

  `) < 5%

  a) 5-10%

  b) > 10%

  
• Define dehydration.


  State of negative fluid balance

  Typically from inadequate intake or excessive loss of bodily fluids
• What are the signs & symptoms of dehydration?


  Dry mucous membranes

  Loss of skin turgor

  Sunken eyes

  Severe dehydration -> tachycardia, hypotension, delirium
• What are the common causes of dehydration?


  Diarrhoea

  Vomiting

  Polyuria

  Fever

  Inadequate fluid intake (poor feeding)
• What are the Inx of dehydration?

  Obs

  Full Hx & examination

  Urine dip

  Bloods (FBC, U&Es)
• What is the treatment of dehydration?


  Correction of fluid & electrolyte imbalances

  Close monitoring -> to avoid complications (cerebral oedema in cases of rapid rehydration)
• What are IV fluids required in children?


  If...

  • child is > 10% dehydrated OR
  • child is 5-10% dehydrated AND oral or enteral rehydration is not tolerated or possible