Final answer:
True, a person who is dehydrated requires replacement of both water and electrolytes to restore proper hydration and maintain essential bodily functions. This replenishment is crucial for cell function, nerve and muscle operation, and overall health.
Step-by-step explanation:
A person who is dehydrated will indeed need replacement of water and electrolytes. This is a true statement because dehydration indicates that there has been a significant loss of water and also likely electrolytes, which are vital for normal body function.
When someone is dehydrated due to factors such as excessive sweating, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever, there's not just a loss of water but also a loss of electrolytes like sodium and potassium.
These are important for maintaining nerve and muscle function, hydration levels, and pH balance in the body. Electrolytes facilitate electrical signals in the body, which are essential for a multitude of physiological processes.
For example, during intense physical activity such as distance running, an athlete may experience considerable sweating, leading to fluid and electrolyte loss.
To recover, the athlete must replenish both water and electrolytes to restore balance. In cases of severe dehydration, simply drinking water may not be enough, and medical intervention, with solutions that are isotonic with body fluids, might be necessary to prevent further health deterioration.
If replacement of water and electrolytes is not adequately addressed, it can lead to decreased blood volume and reduced cellular function. Severe dehydration may require medical attention, where a patient might receive an intravenous infusion of isotonic fluids to address the critical balance of water and electrolytes in the body.