Minimize medications prescribed. To correct dehydration, people suffering from dehydration should drink more fluids. Often however, dehydrated patients are unable to do this for several reasons. Some patients may have an abnormal swallow, may be unable to bring their hand to their mouth with an appropriate grasp and release of the cup, and some patients may have such a low level consciousness that they are unaware of thirst or unable to initiate intake of oral fluids. In these latter instances artificial hydration may be indicated.
Artificial hydration includes the use of either intravenous, nasogastric, or gastric lines.
Before these measures are undertaken co mmunication among the patient, family, doctor and health care team should occur. Ross Laboratories promotes a product called Equalite which helps to rehydrate patients. For more information regarding this product and dehydration please have your physician contact Ross Laboratories Consumer Relations 625 Cleveland Avenue. The question of withholding or withdrawing nutrition and fluids has become an ethical dilemma for the people who care for and love patients who are irreversibly comatose, imminently going to die, o r are in a persistent vegetative state. Families and hospital personnel must understand what is a beneficial or burdensome treatment to patients who fall in the above categories.