Certified Medical-Surgical Registered Nurse Practice Test

What are the early signs and symptoms of dehydration?

1. Coma and seizures

2. Sunken eyeballs and poor skin turgor

3. Increased heart rate with hypotension

4. Thirst and confusion

The correct answer is: Thirst and confusion

The correct answer is D: Thirst and confusion. Thirst and confusion are early signs and symptoms of dehydration. Thirst is the body’s way of signaling that it needs more fluids, while confusion can occur due to electrolyte imbalances resulting from dehydration. Option A is incorrect as coma and seizures are more severe symptoms of dehydration rather than early signs. Option B is not an early sign but more of a moderate to severe sign of dehydration. Option C is also not an early sign of dehydration; increased heart rate with hypotension can be seen in moderate to severe dehydration.