Nursing Students General Students
Published Aug 28, 2006
BoonersmomRN
1,132 Posts
Which client is at greatest risk for dehydration?
An infant with diarrhea
An elderly person who lives alone
This is one of my study questions and I had picked the infant but my friend said no it's the elderly person. Due to more risk factors. Is she right? She's convincing me now...
Lurksalot, BSN, RN
236 Posts
Going strictly by the information provided, I would agree with you and say the infant with diarrhea. Yes, an elderly person living alone could/would have several potential risk factors, but an infant with diarrhea has an actual risk factor happening at this moment. I would pick an actual problem over a potential one.
RNsRWe, ASN, RN
3 Articles; 10,428 Posts
You are right, not your friend, for the reason Lurksalot just stated. ALWAYS choose the actual situation over a potential one. That was something drummed into me during practice questions for NCLEX! Many times the POTENTIAL for injury is very high with Client A, but it's Client B who is in the most trouble at this exact moment.
Fix the baby :)
JR816, BSN, RN
224 Posts
I agree!!!!!!!!
Princess74
817 Posts
Me too!
donsterRN, ASN, BSN
2,558 Posts
Ditto!
puggymae
317 Posts
We know for sure the baby has diarrhea - for all we know the elderly person is mixing a pitcher of Bloody Mary's and getting ready for company! I agree - go with what you know for sure.
SoulShine75
801 Posts
The infant with diarhhea, because they didn't give any indication why the elderly person @ home would be at risk for dehydration.
Oh and adding on to what another poster has said. Don't read into the question, just take it for what it is...don't assume anything with these tricky nursing questions.
Spidey's mom, ADN, BSN, RN
11,304 Posts
That is exactly what I was thinking . . . .
I agree with everyone - go with the baby.
Ah, this brings back memories of school and is making me sick.
steph
FutureNP-PA
33 Posts
GO with the baby. I agree with everyone else. My grandmother lives alone & is no more at risk for dehydration than I am. =)
Thanks everyone!
If I have told myself once I have told myself a 1000 times....go with your gut instinct Amy...go with your gut instinct.
As a mother of 2 I KNOW how fast infants can dehydrate....so I immediately bullseyed on that one.
cathiep
23 Posts
baby!
Cathie