When assessing fluid status, what signs would you look for on examination that suggest a patient is hypovolaemic?
Dehydration is the condition in which the amount of water leaving the body is higher than the intake. It leads to physical signs on examination like: cold pale peripheries, prolonged capillary refill times (more than 2 seconds), decreased turgor of skin, reduced JVP, sunken eyes, dry lips, tachycardia, postural hypotension and dark urine. It can also manifest as oliguria or anuria, confusion, hypernatremia, high creatinine, low GFR. Treatment is hydration, intravenous fluids and maintenance of blood pressure with monitoring urine output.