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Dehydration in Children
Dehydration in Children ( 29 Questions)
The child presents with diarrhea and vomiting.
What clinical manifestations would the nurse expect to observe in this patient?
Thirst and dry mouth are common signs of dehydration in adults, but in pediatric patients, especially infants, the signs are different. Children may not be able to communicate their thirst effectively, and dry mouth might not be as noticeable as other signs.
Rapid heart rate and low blood pressure are symptoms of shock, which can occur in severe dehydration. However, these symptoms are not specific to dehydration and can be present in other conditions. Sunken eyes and fontanelle in infants are more specific indicators of dehydration in pediatric patients. Sunken eyes occur due to loss of tissue turgor, and a sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on an infant's head) is a late sign of dehydration.
No explanation
Lethargy and irritability can be signs of dehydration, but they are nonspecific and can occur in various pediatric conditions. Sunken eyes and fontanelle, on the other hand, are more specific to dehydration, especially in infants.
Choice A rationale:
Thirst and dry mouth are common signs of dehydration in adults, but in pediatric patients, especially infants, the signs are different.
Children may not be able to communicate their thirst effectively, and dry mouth might not be as noticeable as other signs.
Choice B rationale:
Rapid heart rate and low blood pressure are symptoms of shock, which can occur in severe dehydration.
However, these symptoms are not specific to dehydration and can be present in other conditions.
Sunken eyes and fontanelle in infants are more specific indicators of dehydration in pediatric patients.
Sunken eyes occur due to loss of tissue turgor, and a sunken fontanelle (the soft spot on an infant's head) is a late sign of dehydration.
Choice D rationale:
Lethargy and irritability can be signs of dehydration, but they are nonspecific and can occur in various pediatric conditions.
Sunken eyes and fontanelle, on the other hand, are more specific to dehydration, especially in infants.