Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 19, 2025
10:38
Observational Study Protocol for Repeated Clinical Examination and Critical Care Ultrasonography Within the Simple Intensive Care Studies
Published on: January 16, 2019
20.4K
Thirst in ICU Patients: A Scoping Review
Megumi Horinouchi1, Hideaki Sakuramoto2, Ayako Fukushima3
1Department of Nursing, Hospital of the University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, JPN.
Cureus
|June 16, 2025
Summary
Thirst affects 66% of intensive care unit (ICU) patients. Current interventions like oral moisturization lack evidence on optimal frequency, and research is needed to address risk factors and improve thirst management in ICUs.
Area of Science:
- Critical Care Medicine
- Symptom Management
- Evidence Synthesis
Background:
- Thirst is a prevalent symptom in intensive care units (ICUs).
- Previous reviews on thirst in ICU patients had limitations.
- A comprehensive understanding of thirst prevalence, risk factors, measurement, and interventions is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically explore and map the literature on thirst in ICU patients.
- To identify gaps in research regarding thirst prevalence, risk factors, measurement, and interventions.
- To guide future research for improved thirst management in ICUs.
Main Methods:
- A scoping review was conducted, searching PubMed, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and Igaku Chuo Zasshi.
- Literature was screened by two independent reviewers based on inclusion/exclusion criteria.
- Data extraction from 53 eligible studies was performed.
Main Results:
- The pooled prevalence of thirst in ICU patients was 66%.
- Identified risk factors include sepsis, GI disease, analgesics, diuretics, hyperglycemia, and elevated sodium.
- Interventions focused on oral/lip moisturization; optimal frequency remains unclear. Objective measurement tools are lacking.
Conclusions:
- Thirst is highly prevalent in ICU patients, with several identified risk factors.
- Current interventions like oral moisturization lack robust evidence regarding effectiveness and optimal frequency.
- Further research is crucial to validate measurement tools and determine optimal intervention strategies for thirst in ICUs.
Related Concept Videos
01:30Acute Kidney Injury IV: Diagnostic Studies and Prevention
64
Accurate diagnosis and effective prevention are critical in managing Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), which is linked to high mortality rates ranging from 10% to 80%. Timely recognition of at-risk patients and careful monitoring can significantly reduce the likelihood of kidney damage.Diagnostic Assessments:The diagnostic process starts with a comprehensive medical history to identify prerenal, intrarenal, and postrenal causes.Prerenal causes, such as dehydration, hypotension, or blood loss, should...
64
01:22Acute Kidney Injury VI: Nursing Management
69
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) results in an inability to maintain fluid, electrolyte, and acid-base balance. Effective nursing management is critical in improving patient outcomes and includes comprehensive patient assessment and targeted interventions.Comprehensive Patient AssessmentA detailed history collection is essential, focusing on any recent infections, nephrotoxic medication use, or chronic conditions such as hypertension and diabetes that may contribute to AKI. During the physical...
69
01:25Regulation of Water Intake
1.4K
Osmolality refers to the number of solute particles per kilogram of solvent in a solution. Plasma osmolality specifically indicates the total number of solute particles per kilogram of water in blood plasma. This value reflects the body's hydration status and is tightly regulated through mechanisms controlling water intake and output. While water consumption is a conscious decision, the body has intrinsic regulatory systems to maintain fluid balance. Dehydration, a state of water deficit...
1.4K
01:22Acute Kidney Injury I: Introduction
83
Introduction:Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) describes a swift decrease in kidney function occurring over hours to days, characterized by the kidneys' failure to remove waste products from the bloodstream. This leads to dangerous complications like metabolic acidosis, fluid overload, and electrolyte imbalances, such as hyperkalemia, which can cause life-threatening arrhythmias. AKI is common in both hospital and outpatient settings, often triggered by dehydration, sepsis, or exposure to nephrotoxic...
83
01:29Acute Kidney Injury III: Clinical Manifestations
105
Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) progresses through distinct clinical phases: the oliguric, diuretic, and recovery phases, each marked by unique manifestations and challenges.Oliguric Phase:The oliguric phase is the initial stage of AKI, typically lasting 10 to 14 days. This phase is marked by a significant reduction in urine output, usually less than 400 mL per day, indicating decreased kidney function. Fluid retention is a prominent feature, leading to symptoms such as edema, hypertension, and...
105
01:25Primary Motives: Hunger and Thirst
358
Hunger and thirst are fundamental physiological drives crucial for maintaining homeostasis and ensuring the survival of both humans and animals. These drives are regulated through complex interactions between the brain, hormones, and sensory receptors.
Hunger arises when the brain detects changes in the body's nutrient levels, including glucose, lipids, amino acids, and hormones such as ghrelin and leptin. The hypothalamus plays a central role in hunger regulation. The lateral hypothalamus...
Hunger arises when the brain detects changes in the body's nutrient levels, including glucose, lipids, amino acids, and hormones such as ghrelin and leptin. The hypothalamus plays a central role in hunger regulation. The lateral hypothalamus...
358