Question

A client with gastroenteritis who has been vomiting and has diarrhea is admitted to the hospital with a diagnosis of dehydration. For which clinical manifestations that correlate with this fluid imbalance would the nurse assess the client? Select all that apply.

a) Sunken fontanelles
b) Bradycardia
c) Hypertension
d) Dry mucous membranes
e) Increased urine output

Answer 1

For a client admitted with dehydration due to gastroenteritis, a nurse should look for clinical manifestations such as dry mucous membranes and sunken fontanelles (mainly in infants) which correlate with this fluid imbalance. Decreased urine output is also a critical sign of dehydration.

Step-by-step explanation:

A client with gastroenteritis and a diagnosis of dehydration may exhibit several clinical manifestations. The nurse should assess for:

• Dry mucous membranes: This is a common symptom of dehydration.
• Sunken fontanelles: Although more applicable to infants, this can indicate severe dehydration.
• Bradycardia: Not typically associated with dehydration; dehydration would more likely present with tachycardia.
• Hypertension: Dehydration tends to lead to hypotension, not hypertension, due to decreased blood volume.
• Decreased urine output: This is expected in dehydration as the body tries to conserve water.

Selecting the correct symptoms helps the nursing staff monitor the patient's status and the effectiveness of rehydration treatments rigorously to avoid further complications from excessive water loss.