Answer to Question #161187 in Human Anatomy and Physiology for Titomi

Question

What type of dehydration is found in
A) fevers
B) burns
C) severe vomiting
Explain all answers

Answer 1

a) Burns

Isotonic water loss occurs when water and sodium are lost together. Causes of isotonic water loss are diarrhea, sweating, burns, intrinsic kidney disease, hyperglycemia, and hypoaldosteronism.

b) Fever

Hypertonic dehydration occurs when water losses exceed sodium losses. Serum sodium and osmolality will always be elevated in hypertonic dehydration. Excess pure water loss occurs through the skin, lungs, and kidneys. Etiologies are fever, increased respiration, and diabetes insipidus.

c) Severe vomiting

Hypotonic dehydration is mostly caused by diuretics, which cause more sodium loss than water loss. Hypotonic dehydration is characterized by low sodium and osmolality.