Dehydration (A&E) Flashcards
1
Q
Define dehydration.
A
State of reduced total body water volume
2
Q
What are some causes of dehydration? (7)
A
- insufficient water intake - particularly in elderly and critically ill
- diuretics
- diabetes insipidus
- diarrhoea
- vomiting
- burns
- sweating
3
Q
What are the clinical features of dehydration? (6)
A
- thirst
- headache
- weakness
- dizziness
- fatigue
- dry cool skin + dry mucus membranes + delayed CRT + reduced skin turgor
4
Q
What are the clinical features of dehydration in infants? (3)
A
- sunken fontanelle
- irritability
- lethargy
5
Q
What would you see on examination of dehydration? (5 + 3)
A
- dry mucus membranes
- increased capillary refill time
- loss of skin turgor
- sunken eyes
- severe dehydration: tachycardia, hypotension, delirium
6
Q
What electrolyte abnormality is found in dehydration?
A
Hypernatraemia
7
Q
What would happen to urine osmolality in dehydration?
A
Increased urine osmolality
(+ low urine sodium)
8
Q
What is urea:creatinine ratio like in dehydration?
A
Elevated urea:creatinine
9
Q
What is the management plan for dehydration?
A
- oral rehydration therapy
- IV fluid resuscitation
10
Q
What do we have to be careful about with IV fluid resuscitation in dehydration?
A
Correction of hypernatraemia too quickly can lead to cerebral oedema
11
Q
What are some complications of dehydration? (3)
A
- hypovolaemic shock –> pre-renal AKI
- thrombosis
- increased risk of UTIs
