When assessing a patient’s total body water percentage, the nurse is aware that all of the following factors influence this except:
A. Age
B. Fat tissue
C. Muscle mass
D. Gender
Correct Answer: D. Gender
A patient’s gender does not influence the percentage of total body water. The average percentage of body weight that is water will remain above 50 percent for most or all of a person’s life, though it does decline over time. About two-thirds of the body’s water is within the cells, while the remaining third is in extracellular fluid. Minerals, including potassium and sodium, help maintain ICF and ECF balances.
Option A: Water needs don’t change per se, however as people age, they generally develop a decreased sense of thirst, putting them at increased risk of dehydration. Several studies show that individuals older than 60 do not feel adequately thirsty even when in physiological need. The end result is that simple environmental stresses, such as heat, can put a person at risk if adequate hydration is not maintained.
Option B: The decreasing water percentage through the years is due in large part to having more body fat and less fat-free mass as people age. Fatty tissue contains less water than lean tissue, so the weight and body composition affect the percentage of water in the body.
Option C: One of the key functions of protein is to “hold onto” fluid in the blood. Individuals consuming too little protein are unable to maintain adequate amounts of water in the blood. Inadequate dietary protein can cause increased urination, fatigue, or feeling bloated.
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