Table 5-16
- Weight loss (most important to assess):
- Mild dehydration: <5% weight loss
- Moderate dehydration: 5%–9% weight loss
- Severe dehydration: 10%–15% weight loss
- Skin: gray, cold to touch, poor skin turgor (check skin across abdomen)
- Mucous membranes: dry oral buccal mucosa; salivation absent
- Eyes: sunken eyeballs; absence of tears when crying
- Anterior fontanel (in infant): sunken
- Shock: increased pulse, increased respirations, decreased blood pressure
- Urine: oliguria, increased specific gravity, ammonia odor
- Alterations in level of consciousness: irritability, lethargy, stupor, coma, possible seizures
- Metabolic acidosis (with diarrhea)
- Metabolic alkalosis (with vomiting)