The manifestations of dehydration in an elderly adult may differ from those seen in children or younger adults.
Findings that may indicate dehydration in an elderly adult:
(1) decreasing body weight
(2) reduced attention span
(3) confusion or delirium
(4) lower blood pressure
(5) dryness of the tongue and mucus membranes
Findings which occur in an older adult for reasons other than dehydration (viz, nonspecific):
(1) oliguria
(2) thirst
(3) orthostatic hypotension
(4) reduced skin turgor
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Specialty: Endocrinology, Clinical Laboratory, Emergency Medicine, Critical Care
ICD-10: ,
