Which of the following are signs of hypovolemia?

Which of the following are signs of hypovolemia?

• A. Tachycardia, orthostatic hypotension, low filling pressures, weak pulse, poor skin turgor, and oliguria.
• B. Hypertension and edema
• C. Bradycardia and warm skin
• D. Increased urine output

Answer: (A)

Hypovolemia means there is not enough circulating blood volume, so the body responds to preserve perfusion with several hallmark signs. The heart speeds up to maintain cardiac output, so tachycardia is common. Standing up can cause orthostatic hypotension because less blood returns to the heart when preload is already reduced. Preload-related filling pressures become low, reflecting the diminished intravascular volume. The pulse tends to be weak due to the decreased stroke volume. The skin becomes dry with poor turgor from dehydration. Kidneys conserve water, leading to reduced urine output (oliguria). Hypertension and edema point to fluid excess rather than deficit, so they don’t fit hypovolemia. Bradycardia with warm skin suggests a different shock state characterized by vasodilation, and increased urine output would not be expected with reduced circulating volume.

Hypovolemia means there is not enough circulating blood volume, so the body responds to preserve perfusion with several hallmark signs. The heart speeds up to maintain cardiac output, so tachycardia is common. Standing up can cause orthostatic hypotension because less blood returns to the heart when preload is already reduced. Preload-related filling pressures become low, reflecting the diminished intravascular volume. The pulse tends to be weak due to the decreased stroke volume. The skin becomes dry with poor turgor from dehydration. Kidneys conserve water, leading to reduced urine output (oliguria). Hypertension and edema point to fluid excess rather than deficit, so they don’t fit hypovolemia. Bradycardia with warm skin suggests a different shock state characterized by vasodilation, and increased urine output would not be expected with reduced circulating volume.