Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 86%
Simulated
A nurse is assessing a client who has dehydration due to prolonged diarrhea. Which of the following findings should the nurse expect?
Correct answer
C
Rationale
The correct answer is C: Hypotension. Dehydration leads to reduced blood volume, causing hypotension. This occurs due to decreased fluid levels in the body, resulting in lowered blood pressure. Bradycardia (A) is less likely as the body compensates by increasing the heart rate. Edema (B) is incorrect as dehydration causes fluid loss, leading to decreased tissue fluid. Crackles (D) are associated with fluid in the lungs, which is not a common finding in dehydration.