Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 83%
Simulated
A nurse is performing an admission assessment on a client. Which finding should the nurse identify as an indication that the client is dehydrated?
Correct answer
D
Rationale
The correct answer is D: Increased urine specific gravity. Dehydration leads to concentrated urine, resulting in an elevated urine specific gravity. This occurs because the body conserves water by reducing urine output and reabsorbing water in the kidneys to maintain fluid balance. The other choices are incorrect because: A: High blood pressure indicates hypertension, not dehydration; B: Edema is swelling due to fluid retention, opposite of dehydration; C: Bounding pulses suggest increased volume, not dehydration.