Horrible mistake?

Mike R, ADN, BSN, RN · Mar 1, 2011

Was "give them a glass of water" an option? You're right in the sense that you want to hydrate, but PO is always easier than parenteral unless contraindicated.

excedium · Mar 1, 2011

yeah, i wrote give water as well

CrazyGoonRN · Mar 1, 2011

I'm in 2nd semester for my RN and on an exam there was a question asking what you would do for an elderly dehydrated patient in LTC..and i wrote give fluid IV..is this just a horrible answer that's also very unsafe and would make me seem horrible? or am i just over thinking this?

Horrible mistake??? Why would you say that?

Think about the question. This is a LTC facility not a hospital. LTC facilities do not have easy access to IV pumps or fluids (at least most of them don't). So that would not be practical in this situation. You also have to think that this is an elderly patient and you could cause a lot of unecessary pain, possible infection and discomfort. They likely have poor nutrition if they are dehydrated. Therefore it would take a longer time for their IV site to heal. Basically I am saying that the reprocussions go on and on... So you want to make sure you do the least invasive intervention first. This would be frequently encouraging PO fluids.

Don't worry. Just think about all aspects of the question before answering. :)

solneeshka, BSN, RN · Mar 3, 2011

Yeah, in a LTC situation, giving them something to drink would probably be the first choice, but I don't think giving them IV fluids is a "horrible" choice! Denying them IV fluids, maybe, but at least you had the right idea. No biggie!

illuminati88 · Mar 3, 2011

You got the write idea(pushing fluids) to correct the problem(dehydration). But the route to administer depends on the condition of the patient/resident. Changes in diet can also help with correcting the problem.

turnforthenurse, MSN, NP · Mar 7, 2011

You got the write idea(pushing fluids) to correct the problem(dehydration). But the route to administer depends on the condition of the patient/resident. Changes in diet can also help with correcting the problem.

this. if ORT (oral rehydration therapy) is unsuccessful (patient isn't really alert, patient has N/V/D that won't stop and can't keep anything down or in, etc) then you progress to IV fluids.

Moogie · Mar 7, 2011

It isn't the best answer, but it is not a horrible mistake. I think the fact that you've come here to discuss this with other students and nurses means that you're cognizant of this mistake and are learning from it. Kudos to you for that! :up:

CrazierThanYou · Mar 11, 2011

It isn't the best answer, but it is not a horrible mistake. I think the fact that you've come here to discuss this with other students and nurses means that you're cognizant of this mistake and are learning from it. Kudos to you for that!

Okay, so what is the best answer? Because I probably would have said the same thing so I'm curious.