Conditions and Factors That May Increase Risk for Dehydration or Fluid/Electrolyte Imbalance

Written by Adam Peck Category: Elder Law January 26th, 2013 2 min read

Clinical Conditions that may evidence the risk of Dehydration and / or electrolyte chemical inbalance are as follows indicates Los Angeles Nursing Home Abuse and Negelct Attorney Steven Peck:

Dementia or cognitive impairment
Fever (including low-grade fever)
Diarrhea
Vomiting
Dependence on staff for eating and drinking
Use of medications that can cause dehydration (e.g., diuretics, phenytoin, lithium, laxatives)
Draining wounds or pressure ulcers
Excessive sweating
Rapid breathing
Gastrointestinal bleeding
Previous episodes of dehydration
Difficult or painful swallowing
Depression
Small amount of dark or concentrated urine
Excessive urination
Nothing-by-mouth or fluid-restriction orders
Chronic comorbidities (e.g. stroke, diabetes, congestive heart failure)
Infection
Dizziness
Environmental Factors

Tube feeding
Use of specialty beds
Lack of social or family support
Inadequate staffing
Language barriers
Isolation
Restraints
Facility-specific factors that may expose patients to excessive heat (e.g. malfunctioning air conditioners)

Risk Reduction. A facility-wide hydration program can contribute significantly to decreasing the risk of dehydration. The certified nursing assistant (CNA) can be a major resource for this program. Regular rounds for fluid distribution, one-on-one help with consuming fluids, records of fluid intake and output if indicated, and reporting of warning signs that caregivers have been trained to recognize all play a part in a facility-wide effort to reduce the risk of hydration problems.

Hydration should be considered part of everyone’s job. Every staff member should be trained to help manage hydration and to offer fluids as appropriate, and all staff should be involved in managing hydration. All caregiving staff should pay attention to such issues as why a patient may not be consuming fluids that are offered and ensuring that a patient’s liquid preferences are identified. Questions about these issues should be asked of patients or of their family members or other advocates when patients are unable to respond.

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Written by Adam Peck

Expertise: Personal Injury

Adam J. Peck, ESQ is a principal with Peck Law Group, APC. In 2008, Mr. Adam Peck received his Juris Doctorate from Whittier Law School where he graduated Cum Laude. His practice is primarily dedicated to representing Elders, Dependent Adults, along with their loved ones and family members, who have suffered horrific personal injuries.