Dehydration
Adequate Water Intake:
Intake based on Energy Expenditure
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Average Intake of Americans in general:
Older adults are less thirsty and drink less water than younger adults Decreased thirst response and low water reserves lead to an increased risk for dehydration. |
Water Deprivation Headache
- Frontal, Temporal, Occipital
- Pressure - Throbbing
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Water Deprivation:
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Detecting Dehydration
Skin Turgor (Skin Elasticity)
- late sign of dehydration
- Grasp the skin on the back of the hand, lower arm, or abdomen between two fingers so that it is tented up. The skin is held for a few seconds then released.
- Normal
- Decreased Turgor
- late sign of dehydration
Capillary Refill
- dehydration
- shock
- peripheral vascular disease
- hypothermia
- Pressure is applied to the nail bed until it turns white. Once the tissue turns white, pressure is removed. Have the patient hold their hand above their heart and measure the time it takes for blood to return to the tissue.
- Normal
- Delayed
- dehydration
- shock
- peripheral vascular disease
- hypothermia