A 3-month old infant presents with vomiting and diarrhea.The infant appears to be drowsy; his pulse rate is 180 beats/min; and he has had a dry diaper for the past 3 hours.The nurse suspects the patient has developed

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Severe dehydration: The child is drowsy,limp,cold,and sweaty,and the extremities may be cyanotic.The patient has a rapid or feeble pulse that is sometimes difficult to palpate and has respirations that are deep and a rate that is rapid; these are signs of hypotensive shock.The fontanel is very sunken; urine is not excreted for several hours,and no tears are evident; and the eyes are very sunken.Moderate dehydration: The child is thirsty,restless,lethargic,and irritable; has a rapid or weak pulse; has respirations that may be deep,and the rate may be rapid; has a sunken fontanel; and has normal or low blood pressure.The skin retracts slowly when pinched,mucous membranes are dry,and urine is dark and the amount reduced.Mild dehydration: The child is restless,thirsty,and alert; has a normal pulse rate and strength; and has normal blood pressure,respiratory rate,and fontanels.The skin readily retracts when pinched,mucous membranes are moist,and urine output is normal.

A 3-Month Old Infant Presents with Vomiting and Diarrhea