Dehydration tests not always accurate in New Mexico

On Behalf of | Jun 17, 2016 | Failure To Diagnose

Dehydration can lead to a number of problems for people, especially for senior citizens. If someone is dehydrated, they may become thirsty or tired, develop dry skin or feel like their mouth is dry and sticky. In some cases, dehydration may lead to heat stroke, so people should not ignore these symptoms.

The problem is that many older adults may not notice that they are dehydrated. Additionally, tests that normally work for younger individuals may provide false positives or negatives for elderly individuals. People who are older may have reduced thirst sensations, and certain medications or poor kidney function may also prevent seniors from being able to tell that they are dehydrated.

Urine tests are frequently used to check for dehydration because darker urine and urine that is more concentrated indicate dehydration. However, as a result of reduced kidney function, elderly individuals might not be able to produce highly concentrated urine. This could lead to a false negative. On the other hand, certain medications may make urine appear darker, resulting in a test that provides a false positive.

People and doctors alike frequently rely on tests to provide information about medical conditions. However, it’s important that doctors are ordering the right tests and that they are interpreting them correctly. If a physician is not properly examining symptoms, an incorrect or delayed diagnosis may occur. Failure to accurately diagnose a patient can lead to injury or even death. A lawyer could assist someone in determining if medical malpractice may have been involved with a misdiagnosis and explain the victim’s legal rights.

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