Is the patient at risk for dehydration or fluid/electrolyte imbalance?
If the patient is not currently dehydrated and has either no fluid/electrolyte imbalance or a mild fluid/electrolyte imbalance, it is important to identify the risk for development or progression of these conditions. Caregivers should pay close attention to clinical conditions and environmental factors that may increase risk for dehydration or fluid/electrolyte imbalance (see “Conditions and Factors That May Increase Risk for Dehydration or Fluid/Electrolyte Imbalance” below). At the same time, caregivers should be aware that normal aging, end-of-life processes, and other clinical conditions can produce many of the same findings. If a patient appears to be at risk, the caregiver should document this observation and address the conditions or factors that present the risk.
