Assessing Fluid Balance Flashcards
What should you look out for
Child’s colour, unwell children will be pale
Capillary refill time is an important marker of tissue perfusion and volume status, press on sternum or forehead for 5 seconds, release the pressure and count number of seconds blood takes to return to the area.
Children should normally have moist mucous membranes so if dry report
Children who are dehydrated will be less able to produce tears, dark hollow eyes are signs of dehydrations
Sunken fontanelle indicates dehydration which is useful up to 12-18 months of age
Dehydrated child is likely to be tachycardic
How to measure children’s fluid balance
Calculating daily fluid requirements
Measure out volumes of fluid and document once finished
Weigh dry nappy and then a wet one to find the difference in urine output
Assessing urine is measured via urinalysis dipstick and should be clear and light yellow in colour,
