Final answer:
A high Central Venous Pressure (CVP) indicates that the patient is overhydrated. The patient with low blood pressure and thirst is likely dehydrated and requires isotonic saline solution intravenously to restore fluid balance.
Step-by-step explanation:
A high Central Venous Pressure (CVP) indicates that the patient's fluid status is overhydrated. CVP is the pressure in the thoracic vena cava near the right atrium, and it reflects the amount of blood returning to the heart and the ability of the heart to pump the blood into the arterial system. When the CVP is high, it suggests that there is an excess of fluid in the venous system, which can occur in conditions like fluid overload or heart failure, where the body has difficulty removing fluid.
The patient described with a blood pressure of 70/45, who is confused and complaining of thirst, is likely experiencing hypovolemia or dehydration, not overhydration. The primary treatment for dehydration includes the administration of intravenous fluids. Specifically, a saline solution that is isotonic with respect to body fluids is often given. An isotonic saline solution has a similar concentration of solutes to that found in the blood, making it the most effective choice to replenish the patient's fluid balance without causing additional imbalances.