Which of the following describes a common change in vital signs with dehydration?

Which of the following describes a common change in vital signs with dehydration?

• A. Hypertension and tachycardia
• B. Normal vitals
• C. Hypotension and tachycardia
• D. Hyperthermia and bradycardia

Answer: (C)

Dehydration reduces circulating blood volume, causing hypovolemia. With less fluid returning to the heart, preload and stroke volume drop, which can lower blood pressure. To maintain perfusion, the body increases sympathetic activity, leading to a faster heart rate. So the common vital-sign pattern with dehydration is low blood pressure paired with tachycardia. Hypertension wouldn’t align with fluid loss, and normal vitals would miss the expected compensatory response. Hyperthermia with bradycardia is not typical of dehydration.

Dehydration reduces circulating blood volume, causing hypovolemia. With less fluid returning to the heart, preload and stroke volume drop, which can lower blood pressure. To maintain perfusion, the body increases sympathetic activity, leading to a faster heart rate. So the common vital-sign pattern with dehydration is low blood pressure paired with tachycardia.

Hypertension wouldn’t align with fluid loss, and normal vitals would miss the expected compensatory response. Hyperthermia with bradycardia is not typical of dehydration.