An elderly patient does not complain of thirst. Which information would the nurse evaluate to determine if the patient is dehydrated?

Question

1. Magnesium level
2. Chest X-ray
3. Urine osmolality
4. Brain scan

Answer 1

3
Rationale 1: The magnesium level is not a sensitive indicator of fluid status.
Rationale 2: A chest X-ray would be more useful in discovering if the patient is overhydrated.
Rationale 3: The thirst mechanism declines with aging, which makes older adults more vulnerable to dehydration and hyperosmolality. Urine osmolality would help to determine the need for more detailed or invasive testing.
Rationale 4: There is no data to support the need for a brain scan.