Assessing Dehydration (ASAN002/3) Flashcards

1
Q

What are the methods of assessing dehydration in our patients? (3)

A
  • Patient history
  • Physical exam
  • Lab tests
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2
Q

What do we need to consider in our Patient’s history to help assess their dehydryation? (5)

A
  • Patient eating & drinking?
  • GI losses?
  • Trauma?
  • Urinary output?
  • Abnormal discharges?
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3
Q

What questions do we need to ask to assess the patient’s eating & drinking status? (6)

A
  • have they been eating & drinking normally?
  • are they anorexic?
  • Off their food?
  • eating less than normal?
  • drinking less than normal?
  • drinking a lot more? (polydipsia)
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4
Q

What do we need to consider to determine Gastrointestinal (GI) losses? (5)

A

Vomiting?
Diarrhoea?
how often?
how much?
what does it look like? (consistency & colour)

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5
Q

When devising a fluid plan, what specifically about GI lossess needs to be taken into account? (1)

A

V & D are on–going losses until they are resolved.

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6
Q

What do we need to consider in regards to Trauma to help assess their dehydryation? (4)

A
  • Haemorrhage?
  • When trauma occurred?
  • How did it happen?
  • Current patient status?
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7
Q

What do we need to consider in regards to Urinary status to help assess their dehydryation? (5)

A
  • ↓ urination
  • ↑ urination (polyuria)
  • straining to urinate? (dysuria)
  • colour?
  • consistency?
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8
Q

What do we need to consider in regards to Abnormal discharges to help assess their dehydryation? (4)

A

how long?
amount?
colour?
consistency?

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9
Q

What are examples of Abnormal discharges that would contribute to fluid loss? (2)

A
  • Open pyometra
  • Large weeping sore
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10
Q

What parts of a Physical Examination help us assess dehydration? (2)

A
  • Feel mucous membranes
  • Perform skin tenting
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11
Q

At what percentage of dehydration do clinical signs start to become apparent? (1)

A

Once patient is at least 5% dehydrated.

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12
Q

How to normal Mucous Membranes feel? (1)

A

MM’s are normally moist.

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13
Q

How do a dehydrated patient’s MM’s feel? (2)

A

Dry & Tacky

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14
Q

How do we perform Skin Tenting? (3)

A
  1. Gently lift skin
  2. Twist
  3. Observe how long before returns to normal.
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15
Q

Dehydration Percentage & Clinical Signs (Image)

A
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16
Q

What Lab tests help us assess dehydration? (3)

A
  • PCV
  • TPP (TP)
  • BUN
17
Q

What is PCV? (1)

A

Packed Cell Volume

18
Q

How do we use PCV test to determine the amount of fluid loss? (2)

A

Every 1% over ‘normal’ PCV
= fluid loss approx 10ml/kg

19
Q

How do we determine the ‘normal’ PCV for the patient? (1)

A

Use middle of normal range for species as your ‘normal’ value

20
Q

What is the calcuation used to determine fluid deficit using PCV? (1)

A

Patient kg x amt of PVC ↑ x 10ml/kg

21
Q

What is the normal PCV range of a dog? (1)

A

Dog: 35 – 58%

22
Q

What is the normal PCV range of a cat? (1)

A

Cat: 28 – 48%

23
Q

What is the normal PCV range of a horse? (1)

A

Horse: 32 – 45%

24
Q

What is TPP?

A

Total Plasma Protein

25
Q

How do we use TPP test to determine the amount of fluid loss? (1)

A

↑ TPP indicates dehydration

26
Q

What test should you always do with TPP? (1)

A

PCV

27
Q

Why should you do PCV & TPP tests together? (2)

A
  • Either one or the other will be ↑ depending on disease
  • Unusual for both to be ↑
28
Q

What is the TPP normal range for a dog? (1)

A

55 – 80 g/L

29
Q

What is the TPP normal range for a cat? (1)

A

61 – 84 g/L

30
Q

What is the TPP normal range for a horse? (1)

A

55 – 75 g/L

31
Q

What is BUN? (2)

A
  • Blood Urea Nitrogen
  • Renal (kidney) function test
32
Q

How does testing BUN help with identifying dehydration? (1)

A

↑ BUN indicates dehydration

33
Q

What is an increase in BUN may indicate what condition? (1)

A

pre–renal azotaemia

34
Q

How is pre-renal azotaemia often resolved? (1)

A

Usually resolved once normal hydration is restored.