Physical Findings of Dehydration

Physical Findings of Dehydration

Normal Intake and Output
■ Intake: 1500–2500 mL over a 24-hour period.
■ Remember! A kilogram gained is a liter retained!
■ Output: 1500–2500 mL over a 24-hour period (40–80 mL/hour), which includes insensible losses.
■ Minimum urine output is 30 mL/hour.
■ Insensible loss (respiration, sweating, BM) is 500–1000 mL/day.

Fluid Volume Overload
■ General:Weight gain and edema.
■ Skin and mucous membranes: Skin stretched and shiny.
■ CV: Decreased hematocrit, widened pulse pressure, emptying of hand veins >5 seconds, pulmonary edema, congestive heart failure.
■ Urinary: Polyuria, dilute urine (decreased output in renal failure).
■ GI: Nausea and anorexia (edema of bowel).

Fluid Volume Deficit
■ General:Weight loss.
■ Skin and mucous membranes: Decreased skin turgor, dry mucous membranes.
■ CV: Increased hematocrit, narrowing pulse pressure, filling of hand veins >5 seconds, postural hypotension, tachycardia on standing.
■ Urinary: Oliguria, concentrated urine.
■ GI: Thirst, anorexia (decreased blood flow to intestine), longitudinal furrows on tongue.
■ CNS: Confusion and disorientation.