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Published on: September 30, 2020
Unrecognized chronic dehydration in older adults: examining prevalence rate and risk factors
Jill A Bennett1, Valorie Thomas, Barbara Riegel
1School of Nursing, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland 97239-2941, USA.
Abstract:
Dehydration has serious consequences for older adults, including increased risk of illness or death. This retrospective review of medical records describes the prevalence, assessment, and risk factors for chronic dehydration in 185 older adults who visited an emergency department in June 2000. Results showed chronic dehydration was present in 89 (48%) patients. Physicians documented assessment for signs of dehydration in 23 (26%) of the dehydrated older adults, but no independent assessments for dehydration were recorded by nurses. These findings indicate many older adults may suffer from unrecognized dehydration, and nurses should be alert to the possibility that dehydration may be present in community-dwelling older adults as well as those who live in residential facilities.
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Disorder of Water Balance
Dehydration
Dehydration occurs when the body loses fluids (particularly water).
Causes:
The major causes of dehydration include excessive sweating, fever, vomiting, diarrhea, and diuresis.
Signs and Symptoms:
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