An older patient who has been experiencing a fever, nausea, and ...

[kellyjaisingh]

An older patient who has been experiencing a fever, nausea, and vomiting has a urine specific gravity below normal. The patient denies being thirsty. What should the nurse suspect the patient is experiencing?
 
  1. Dehydration
  2. Fluid overload
  3. Congestive heart failure
  4. Normal changes of aging

Question 2

An older patient describes having to go to the bathroom more frequently at night. What manifestation is this patient experiencing?
 
  1. Fluid overload
  2. Increased glycosuria
  3. Normal changes of aging
  4. Impairment of drug excretion

[tranoy]

Answer to Question 1

1
Rationale: The elderly are less able to concentrate their urine, making them susceptible to dehydration. In addition, there is a deficit of the thirst response. The patient's symptoms of nausea and vomiting suggest decreased intake and increased output through vomiting, placing the patient at risk for dehydration.

Answer to Question 2

3
Rationale: Older adults have a decreased response to fluid overload by not increasing urine output.

[kellyjaisingh]

TYSM

[meganmoser117]

Excellent