Which external signs should a healthcare provider look for in a patient with severe dehydration?

In cases of severe dehydration, healthcare providers often observe a range of physical signs that indicate the body’s compromised state. One prominent external sign to look for is sunken eyes. This occurs because dehydration can lead to a decrease in fluid around the eyes, causing them to appear hollow or sunken. The loss of moisture and volume affects the tissues surrounding the eyes, making this a key indicator of severe fluid loss.

Dry mucosal membranes may also signal dehydration but are generally less specific for the severity compared to sunken eyes. Increased urine output typically suggests adequate hydration, as fluid intake is usually reflected in urinary output. Normal skin turgor indicates that the skin remains elastic and hydrated, which would contrast with the physiological status of a severely dehydrated patient. Thus, the presence of sunken eyes serves as a critical and clear sign of severe dehydration that healthcare providers should be vigilant to identify.