Difficulty: Medium
Average Score: 87%
Simulated
A nurse is planning to monitor a client for dehydration following several episodes of vomiting and an increase in the client's temperature. Which of the following findings should the nurse identify as an indication that the client is dehydrated?
Correct answer
A
Rationale
The correct answer is A: Urine specific gravity 1.034. Urine specific gravity measures the concentration of solutes in the urine, and a value of 1.034 indicates highly concentrated urine, which is a sign of dehydration. When the body is dehydrated, the kidneys conserve water, leading to concentrated urine.
Choice B, a bounding pulse, is a sign of fluid volume overload rather than dehydration. Choice C, high blood pressure, is not a direct indicator of dehydration. Choice D, distended neck veins, may be seen in conditions like heart failure but are not specific to dehydration. Overall, urine specific gravity is the most direct and reliable indicator of dehydration in this scenario.
Choice B, a bounding pulse, is a sign of fluid volume overload rather than dehydration. Choice C, high blood pressure, is not a direct indicator of dehydration. Choice D, distended neck veins, may be seen in conditions like heart failure but are not specific to dehydration. Overall, urine specific gravity is the most direct and reliable indicator of dehydration in this scenario.