Nurses can identify severe dehydration through a combination of physical assessments and patient history. Key indicators include:
Skin Turgor Test: Pinching the skin to see how quickly it returns to normal can indicate hydration levels. Vital Signs Monitoring: Regularly checking blood pressure, heart rate, and respiratory rate for abnormalities. Laboratory Tests: Blood tests, including electrolyte levels and kidney function tests, help in assessing dehydration severity.
