Final answer:
Dehydrated patients are typically given a saline solution intravenously. If a patient has extremely low blood pressure, is confused, and is complaining of thirst, they are likely experiencing severe dehydration and shock. Healthcare providers must balance respecting a patient's wishes with the necessity of medical intervention.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a dehydrated human patient needs to be given fluids intravenously, medical professionals often administer a saline solution, which is a sterile mixture of sodium chloride (salt) and water. This solution closely matches the electrolyte composition of the body's own fluids, which is crucial for maintaining proper fluid balance and physiological functions.
A patient arriving in the emergency department with a blood pressure of 70/45, confusion, and complaints of thirst is likely experiencing hypotension and dehydration. These symptoms together can indicate a state of shock, which is a life-threatening condition requiring immediate medical intervention, often including the administration of IV fluids and other medications to stabilize the patient.
The refusal of hydration by a patient, as discussed in the research by James L. Bernat (1993), presents ethical challenges in medicine. In such cases, it is important for healthcare providers to consider the patient's wishes while also ensuring the patient is well-informed about the consequences and has the capacity to make such decisions.