Out of all of the following clients, the nurse recognizes that which one is most at risk for a fluid volume deficit?

Question

a. A 6-month-old learning to drink from a cup
b. A 12-year-old who is moderately active in 27°C weather
c. A 42-year-old with severe diarrhea
d. A 90-year-old with frequent headaches

Answer 1

C
The client at greatest risk for a fluid volume deficit is the client who has severe diarrhea. Any condition that results in the loss of GI fluids predisposes the client to dehydration and a variety of electrolyte disturbances.
The very young are at risk for a fluid volume deficit because their body-water loss is proportion-ately greater per kilogram of weight. However, in this instance the very young client is not the individual who is most at risk for fluid volume deficit.
A 12-year-old who is moderately active in warm weather will lose body water through sweating, but in this instance is not the individual at greatest risk for a fluid volume deficit.
The very old are at increased risk for fluid volume deficit because they have a decreased thirst sensation and a decreased number of filtering nephrons. However, in this instance the older adult client is not the individual at greatest risk for a fluid volume deficit.