Fluid Status Assessment

A Cochrane review of 24 papers found that individual clinical symptoms, signs, and tests have little or no diagnostic utility for dehydration, and recommended combinations of tests for future evaluation. A Delphi survey produced consensus on a pragmatic dehydration diagnosis strategy for care home residents, but this strategy was not validated or implemented. International guidance acknowledges the challenges created by dementia for fluid status assessment, noting that dementia is common in long-term care settings. Assessment of fluid status may include input monitoring, clinical signs such as blood pressure or dry mucous membranes, and point-of-care diagnostic testing.