Document Detail


The institutionalized elderly: dry to the bone!
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  8970859     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
The fluid intake of 57 elderly male and female patients, drawn from psychogeriatric, long-term care and geriatric admission units, was monitored. The fluid intake was determined by direct observation and recording of fluids consumed by each subject over three 24-hour periods. In all cases, regardless of the unit, level of dependency, cognitive or continence status, elderly patients received considerably less fluid than the recommended daily intake of 2000-2500 ml. In the case of patients who were cognitively impaired, dependent and incontinent, fluid intake was less than patients who did not have these impediments. Forty-seven nurses, working on the three units, completed a self-administered questionnaire on the fluid needs of elderly patients. Generally, nurses' knowledge was inadequate in a number of areas such as the signs and complications of dehydration and the fluid requirements of the elderly. A study of this size does not permit general conclusions to be drawn. Nonetheless, if the results are indicative of current practice, nurses do not have a good knowledge of the fluid needs of the elderly, and the low level of fluid intake constitutes a form of neglect.
Authors:
C A Armstrong-Esther; K D Browne; D C Armstrong-Esther; L Sander
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Comparative Study; Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  International journal of nursing studies     Volume:  33     ISSN:  0020-7489     ISO Abbreviation:  Int J Nurs Stud     Publication Date:  1996 Dec 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1997-03-10     Completed Date:  1997-03-10     Revised Date:  2006-11-15    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0400675     Medline TA:  Int J Nurs Stud     Country:  ENGLAND    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  619-28     Citation Subset:  IM; N    
Affiliation:
School of Nursing, University of Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Aged / physiology*
Cognition Disorders / complications,  nursing
Drinking*
Female
Geriatric Nursing* / standards
Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice*
Humans
Institutionalization*
Long-Term Care
Male
Nursing Staff* / psychology,  standards
Water-Electrolyte Imbalance / nursing,  physiopathology,  prevention & control

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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