Which statement is NOT typical of dehydration signs in an emergency patient?

• A. Tachycardia
• B. Oliguria
• C. Dry mucous membranes
• D. A warm, flushed skin with normal mucous membranes

Answer: (D)

The main idea is recognizing signs of dehydration as clues to low fluid volume and how the body compensates. Dehydration reduces circulating blood volume, so you expect the heart to beat faster (tachycardia) to preserve perfusion, urine output to drop (oliguria), and mucous membranes to feel dry. The skin is typically dry and may be cool or pale due to reduced blood flow.

A warm, flushed skin with normal mucous membranes doesn’t fit that pattern. Normal mucous membranes imply mucosal hydration, which argues against dehydration, and warm, flushed skin suggests other states such as heat exposure, fever, or sepsis with vasodilation rather than hypovolemia. So this description is not typical of dehydration signs, making it the statement that does not belong with dehydration.