An elderly man is brought to the emergency department with extreme dehydration. What would the nurse expect to see during the ph
ysical exam? Select all that apply.
A. smooth mucous membranesB. dry cracked lipsC. non-elastic turgor with prolonged tentingD. white patches on the mucous membranesE. capillary refill of 2 seconds
During extreme dehydration, mucous membrane that appears at lining of body tract e.g (nose, mouth, trachea, eyelids etc) dries off and also lips looks dried out and cracked.
Also, the nurse making documentation should also check for the skin tugor, the tissue in the skin should also return quickly to its original position, if not, a decreased skin turgor have occurred, which is a factor that results into dehydration. Prolonged "tenting" indicates dehydration. Clinical signs of dehydration may include prolonged skin tenting.
