How To Assess for Volume Depletion
1. Have the patient lie down for 5 minutes, to normalize V/S
2. Take the Pulse & B/P
3. Have the patient stand up abruptly- Do NOT have them sit first [you want to stress their system, not be nice to them]
- You wait right beside them, to ease them back on the bed if they begin to fall
5. Repeat the Pulse, also the B/P
Findings Suggestive of Volume Depletion
1. Pulse rate increase (>20%) 2. Pulse Pressure Narrows 3. B/P FallsValidity of Evidence
None. I’ve searched countless reviews & PubMed entries without success. But I still perform the test to help determine whether a patient with significant vomiting / diarrhea might benefit from an IV.
DiagnosisDude 