Dehydration

Dehydration can have a negative effect on wound healing and can result in electrolyte imbalance. Fluid and nutritional loss may increase in patients with heavily exuding wounds (Gunnewicht & Dunford, 2004).

Any patient is at risk of having a poor nutritional status, a thorough nutritional assessment should be carried out. Someone with a poor nutritional status will not only have a decreased ability to heal wounds but also a decreased ability to fight infection and disease.

If a patient has a poor nutritional status, then a plan can be devised to improve their dietary intake. The method by which this is achieved will differ between individuals.