Word parts
What it means
Too little fluid in the bloodstream. Causes include bleeding, vomiting, diarrhea, burns, heavy sweating, too much diuretic and not drinking enough. Signs include a fast, weak pulse, low blood pressure that drops further on standing, dry mouth, low urine output and dark urine. Severe hypovolemia leads to hypovolemic shockhy-poh-voh-LEE-mik SHOKShock from a large loss of blood or body fluid, so there is too little volume in the blood vessels to supply the organs.hypo- belowvol volume-emic relating to the bloodFull entry .
For the nurse
Track intake and output, daily weight, heart rate, blood pressure and orthostatic changes. Give fluids as ordered and help the client up slowly.
At a glance
| Spanish | hipovolemia |
|---|---|
| Also written | hypovolaemia |
Easy to confuse with
hypervolemia
A higher than normal volume of fluid in the blood vessels; also called fluid volume excess or fluid overload.
Related terms
dehydration
A state in which the body has lost more water than it has taken in.
hypotension
Blood pressure lower than normal, generally below 90/60 mm Hg in an adult.
hypovolemic shock
Shock from a large loss of blood or body fluid, so there is too little volume in the blood vessels to supply the organs.
hypervolemia
A higher than normal volume of fluid in the blood vessels; also called fluid volume excess or fluid overload.