Stages of Dehydration

1. CONDITION:

    a) EYES

   • Well and Alert ....................... Normal

   • Restless, Irritable .................. Sunken

   • Lethargic or unconscious; ...... Very Sunken and dry

     floppy

    b) TEARS

   • Well and Alert ....................... must be present

   • Restless, Irritable .................. Absent/ no tears

   • Lethargic or unconscious; ...... Absent

     floppy

    c) MOUTH AND TONGUE

   • Well and Alert ....................... Moist

   • Restless, Irritable .................. Dry

   • Lethargic or unconscious; ...... Very Dry

     floppy

    d) THIRST

   • Well and Alert ....................... Drinks Normally

                                                   not thirsty

   • Restless, Irritable .................. Thirsty,

                                                   drinks eagerly

   • Lethargic or unconscious; ...... Drinks Poorly

     floppy                                     or not able to drink

2. FEEL:

    a) SKIN PINCH

   • Well and Alert ....................... Goes back quickly

   • Restless, Irritable .................. Goes backSlowly

   • Lethargic or unconscious; ...... Goes back very slowly

     floppy

3. DECIDE:

   • Well and Alert: "The patient has no sign of dehydration"

   • Restless, Irritable: "If the patient has 2 or more signs, including at least one sign, there is some dehydration."

   • Lethargic or unconscious; floppy: "If the patient has 2 or more signs, at least one sign, there is severe dehydration."

4. ADVICE:

   • Well and Alert: "Consult your doctor. Follow the Helpful Dietary Management.

Home Management"

   • Restless, Irritable: "Consult your doctor. Folow the Helpful Dietary Management."

   • Lethargic or unconscious; floppy: "Consult your doctor. Hospital management is needed"

Adapted from: World Health Organization's management of the patient with diarrhea