An elderly patient does not complain of thirst. What should the nurse do to assess that this patient is not dehydrated?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Monitoring the patient's serum osmolality level can help assess for dehydration, as changes in this level can indicate shifts in fluid balance. Simply asking for an order for intravenous fluid replacement or diagnostic tests like a chest x-ray or brain scan is not appropriate without first assessing the patient's hydration status. The patient's lack of thirst may not necessarily indicate dehydration, as elderly patients may become less sensitive to thirst signals.

An Elderly Patient Does Not Complain of Thirst