Which sign would you expect in a child with dehydration?

Which sign would you expect in a child with dehydration?

• A. Normal capillary refill
• B. Normal fontanel
• C. Dry mucous membranes
• D. Warm flushed skin

Answer: (C)

Dehydration lowers the body’s fluid volume, so mucous membranes lose moisture and become dry. This dry state of the mouth and lips is a clear and direct sign of reduced oral and systemic fluids in a child. In contrast, normal capillary refill would not fit dehydration well, since perfusion is often decreased and refill is typically slowed rather than normal. A normal fontanel would also be less likely with dehydration, where the fontanel can appear sunken in infants due to fluid loss. Warm, flushed skin is not typical of dehydration, which more commonly presents with cool or pale skin from reduced perfusion. So the dry mucous membranes best reflect the fluid deficit in dehydration.

Dehydration lowers the body’s fluid volume, so mucous membranes lose moisture and become dry. This dry state of the mouth and lips is a clear and direct sign of reduced oral and systemic fluids in a child. In contrast, normal capillary refill would not fit dehydration well, since perfusion is often decreased and refill is typically slowed rather than normal. A normal fontanel would also be less likely with dehydration, where the fontanel can appear sunken in infants due to fluid loss. Warm, flushed skin is not typical of dehydration, which more commonly presents with cool or pale skin from reduced perfusion. So the dry mucous membranes best reflect the fluid deficit in dehydration.