DEHYDRATION
ALL LEVELS
DESIGNATION OF CONDITION
The patient has experienced an abnormal loss of body fluids. Diarrhea, vomiting, profuse sweating, hyperthermia, or a decrease in fluid intake may cause this condition.
Signs and symptoms may include any or all of the following:
Lethargy, dry skin, mucous membranes, disoriented, weak, tachycardia, hypotension, weak or absent radial pulses, cool and clammy skin,
diaphoresis, pallor, nausea and vomiting, rapid and shallow respiration. In the pediatric patient: sunken fontanels, fever, crying without tears, diminished number of wet diapers, recent history of diarrhea, lethargic.
EMPHASIS ON PATIENT CARE
1. Primary Management - Assess ABC’s and manage as indicated. Use humidified O2.
2. Transport the patient as soon as possible to the nearest medical facility.
3. Secondary Management - History, physical exam, vital signs
4. Treat underlying causes (See applicable guidelines).
5. Consider use of oral hydration fluids if the patient is conscious and able to self-protect the airway.
AEMT/PARAMEDIC
1. In-route, initiate one or two large bore IV’s of an isotonic solution. Bolus the patient with 20 mL./kg. and infuse at a flow rate to maintain adequate end organ perfusion.
2. Utilize a Buretrol IV set on PEDIATRIC patients and bolus at 20 mL./kg. repeating as necessary. Consider intraosseous (IO) access if the patient’s condition warrants.
ALL LEVELS
DESIGNATION OF CONDITION
The patient has experienced an abnormal loss of body fluids. Diarrhea, vomiting, profuse sweating, hyperthermia, or a decrease in fluid intake may cause this condition.
Signs and symptoms may include any or all of the following:
Lethargy, dry skin, mucous membranes, disoriented, weak, tachycardia, hypotension, weak or absent radial pulses, cool and clammy skin,
diaphoresis, pallor, nausea and vomiting, rapid and shallow respiration. In the pediatric patient: sunken fontanels, fever, crying without tears, diminished number of wet diapers, recent history of diarrhea, lethargic.
EMPHASIS ON PATIENT CARE
1. Primary Management - Assess ABC’s and manage as indicated. Use humidified O2.
2. Transport the patient as soon as possible to the nearest medical facility.
3. Secondary Management - History, physical exam, vital signs
4. Treat underlying causes (See applicable guidelines).
5. Consider use of oral hydration fluids if the patient is conscious and able to self-protect the airway.
AEMT/PARAMEDIC
1. In-route, initiate one or two large bore IV’s of an isotonic solution. Bolus the patient with 20 mL./kg. and infuse at a flow rate to maintain adequate end organ perfusion.
2. Utilize a Buretrol IV set on PEDIATRIC patients and bolus at 20 mL./kg. repeating as necessary. Consider intraosseous (IO) access if the patient’s condition warrants.