Pathophysiology: may include a combination of dehydration and malnutrition resulting in loss of subcutaneous fat and muscle wastage, often with pain
Nose: sharp with pinched skin
Eyes: sunken/hollow, appear "bright"
Temples: sunken
Ears: cold, with lobes turned outward
Tongue: dry and shrivelled
Skin: rough, stretched, parched, cold, clammy
Skin Color: may be greenish or livid
Mental status: mind sharp, may be excited or anxious
where:
• The onset of delirium is a bad sign.
Occurrence:
(1) advanced peritonitis
(2) advanced cancer
(3) typhoid fever
(4) advanced heart disease
(5) after trauma