Which finding is most directly associated with dehydration from a tissue-to-blood fluid shift?

Which finding is most directly associated with dehydration from a tissue-to-blood fluid shift?

• A. Elevated skin turgor
• B. Edema
• C. Low blood pressure
• D. Moist mucous membranes

Answer: (C)

Low blood pressure is the most direct sign of dehydration because losing body water reduces the overall circulating blood volume. When tissue fluid shifts into the vascular space, the body may momentarily preserve intravascular volume, but ongoing fluid loss eventually drops venous return and cardiac output, causing hypotension. Other signs point away from dehydration: elevated skin turgor would indicate good hydration, edema reflects excess fluid in tissues rather than a deficit, and moist mucous membranes suggest adequate hydration rather than dehydration (dehydration typically gives dry mucous membranes).

Low blood pressure is the most direct sign of dehydration because losing body water reduces the overall circulating blood volume. When tissue fluid shifts into the vascular space, the body may momentarily preserve intravascular volume, but ongoing fluid loss eventually drops venous return and cardiac output, causing hypotension.

Other signs point away from dehydration: elevated skin turgor would indicate good hydration, edema reflects excess fluid in tissues rather than a deficit, and moist mucous membranes suggest adequate hydration rather than dehydration (dehydration typically gives dry mucous membranes).