Which of the following clients is at greatest risk for insensible wate

Which of the following clients is at greatest risk for insensible water loss?

1. A 37-year-old with a superficial burn to the left hand
2. A 15-year-old experiencing an asthmatic attack
3. A 50-year-old with type 2 diabetes
4. A 73-year-old with a history of pneumonia

ANSWER

ANS: 2
Insensible water loss is continuous and occurs through the skin and lungs. A person does not perceive the loss, but it can significantly increase with fever or burns. This insensible water loss increases in response to changes in respiratory rate and depth. In addition, devices for adminis-tering oxygen increase insensible water loss from the lungs. The teenager experiencing the asth-matic attack is at greatest risk because of the increased respiratory involvement and possible fe-ver. Type 2 diabetes does not necessarily increase insensible water loss, and the remaining clients may have a small risk.