Dehydration & Overhydration Vocabulary

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary related to dehydration and overhydration, including definitions and associated symptoms.

Dehydration

Not having enough fluid inside the vessels.

Tachycardia

An increased heart rate.

Orthostatic Hypotension

A drop in blood pressure upon standing.

Tachypnea

Rapid breathing.

Hypoxia

Low oxygen levels.

Geriatric Snow

Dry, flaky skin.

Renal Issues (Dehydration)

Decreased urine output.

Urine Appearance (Dehydration)

Dark, concentrated, and possibly smelly urine.

Overhydration/Fluid Volume Overload/Hypervolemia

Excess fluid volume in the extracellular fluid.

Corticosteroids

A drug that may cause fluid retention as a side effect, especially with long-term use.

Circulatory Overload

Too much fluid in the vascular space.

Filtration

Fluid moving from the vascular space to the interstitial space.

Edema (Heart Failure)

Edema resulting from right-sided heart failure.

Pulmonary Edema

Fluid backing up into the lungs due to left-sided heart failure.

Bounding Pulses

Excessive fluid volume.

Distended Neck Veins

Distended neck veins even in an upright position.

Respiratory Changes (Overhydration)

Rapid, shallow breaths.

Crackles (Overhydration)

Moist sounds due to fluid in the lungs.

Dependent Edema

Swelling in dependent areas of the body due to gravitational pull.

Paresthesia

Numbness and tingling due to fluid pressing on nerves.

GI Motility (Overhydration)

Fluid dumping into the GI tract leading to increased motility.

Hepatomegaly

Enlargement of the liver.

Diuretics

A medication used to get fluid out of the body.

Ascites

Swelling in the abdomen due to fluid accumulation.

Subcutaneous emphysema

Air has escaped from the lungs and gotten into the subcutaneous or interstitial space, causing a crunchy feeling upon palpation.