Page 242 - Saunders Comprehensive Review For NCLEX-RN

c. Excessive losses of isotonic body fluids

2. Hypertonic dehydration—conditions that

increase fluid loss, such as excessive perspiration,
hyperventilation, ketoacidosis, prolonged fevers,
diarrhea, early-stage kidney disease, and diabetes
insipidus

3. Hypotonic dehydration

a. Chronic illness
b. Excessive fluid replacement (hypotonic)
c. Kidney disease
d. Chronic malnutrition

D. Assessment (Table 8-1)

E. Interventions
1. Prevent further fluid losses and increase fluid
compartment volumes to normal ranges.
2. Provide oral rehydration therapy if possible and IV
fluid replacement if the dehydration is severe;
monitor intake and output.

3. In general, isotonic dehydration is treated with

isotonic fluid solutions, hypertonic dehydration with
hypotonic fluid solutions, and hypotonic dehydration
with hypertonic fluid solutions.
4. Administer medications, such as antidiarrheal,
antimicrobial, antiemetic, and antipyretic
medications, as prescribed to correct the cause and
treat any symptoms.
5. Monitor electrolyte values and prepare to administer
medication to treat an imbalance, if present.
IV. Fluid Volume Excess
A. Description
1. Fluid intake or fluid retention exceeds the fluid needs
of the body.
2. Fluid volume excess is also called overhydration or fluid
overload.

3. The goal of treatment is to restore fluid

balance, correct electrolyte imbalances if present, and
eliminate or control the underlying cause of the
overload.
B. Types
1. Isotonic overhydration
a. Known as hypervolemia, isotonic

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