Assessing dehydration in a child
Purpose of this sheet: essential pediatrics landmarks a nurse or licensed practical nurse in Quebec should keep in mind for clinical practice and for succeeding on the OIIQ or OIIAQ entry exam. Exam relevance: The OIIQ exam requires age-appropriate assessment, anticipation of rapid pediatric decompensation, and per-kilogram dose calculations. — Clinical landmarks — Mild (under 5 %): thirst, slightly dry mucous membranes, normal vital signs Moderate (5 to 10 %): sunken eyes, reduced tears, capillary refill 2 to 3 seconds, tachycardia, reduced urine output, irritability Severe (over 10 %): capillary refill over 3 seconds, cool mottled extremities, marked tachycardia, lethargy, minimal or no urine Weight loss is the most reliable measure. Blood pressure stays normal for a long time: it is a late sign. — Remember — Use this sheet in spaced repetition, pair it with a matching clinical scenario on NursEduc, and always compare values to the person's baseline before drawing conclusions. Keywords: pediatrics, child, infant, adolescent, pediatric dose, OIIQ exam, OIIQ exam prep, OIIAQ exam prep, nurse in Quebec, NursEduc.