Question

A nurse in an emergency department is caring for a client who reports vomiting and diarrhea for the past 3 days. Which of the following findings should indicate to the nurse that the client is experiencing fluid volume deficit?

A) Hypertension
B) Bradycardia
C) Increased urine output
D) Sunken fontanelles in an infant

Answer 1

Sunken fontanelles in an infant would indicate fluid volume deficit, also known as dehydration, which can occur due to frequent vomiting and diarrhea. Dehydration results in a decrease of fluid volume throughout the body, affecting various systems, and requires prompt fluid replacement therapy.

Step-by-step explanation:

When a patient presents with symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhea lasting for multiple days, it is crucial for a healthcare provider to recognize signs of fluid volume deficit also known as dehydration. Since the patient has been experiencing these symptoms for the past 3 days, the correct finding that would indicate fluid volume deficit is D) Sunken fontanelles in an infant. This is because infants have soft spots on their heads (fontanelles) which can appear sunken due to loss of fluid volume. For other patients, this deficit may manifest as orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, dry mucous membranes, and decreased urine output.

Frequent vomiting and diarrhea lead to a significant loss of fluids and electrolytes, which can be evident through a variety of clinical signs. In severe cases, such as the one described in the question, fluid volume deficit can cause major complications including shock and renal failure, both of which are medical emergencies. Thus, it is essential to treat these patients promptly with fluid replacement therapy and management of the underlying cause.