In abdominal pain management, dehydration evidence warrants what action?

• A. Administer analgesics only.
• B. Administer IV fluids if dehydration is present.
• C. Administer antibiotics first.
• D. Delay fluids until diagnosis.

Answer: (B)

When dehydration is evident, the priority is to restore circulating volume. Dehydration reduces blood volume, which can impair organ perfusion, worsen abdominal pain, and hinder clinical assessment. Giving IV fluids immediately corrects the deficit, improves blood pressure and urine output, and helps re-establish adequate tissue perfusion so you can safely pursue further evaluation or treatments. Analgesics may help with pain, but they don’t address the underlying fluid deficit. Antibiotics are only needed if there’s a clear infection, which isn’t established by dehydration alone. Delaying fluids until a diagnosis is made risks worsening shock and dehydration. In practice, start isotonic IV fluids (like normal saline or lactated Ringer’s) and reassess frequently to guide continued therapy.