An infant with severe dehydration would be expected to present with:

An infant with severe dehydration would be expected to present with:

• A. Normal urine output
• B. Fever
• C. Rapid weight gain
• D. Absent urine output

Answer: (D)

In severe dehydration, the body's blood volume drops, and the kidneys respond by conserving water, which drastically reduces urine production. So absent urine output signals significant hypovolemia and urgent need for care. The other signs don’t fit as well: normal urine output would indicate hydration is still adequate; fever suggests infection rather than dehydration; rapid weight gain would indicate fluid retention, not loss. In dehydration, especially in an infant, you’d expect little or no urine because the body is trying to preserve fluids.

In severe dehydration, the body's blood volume drops, and the kidneys respond by conserving water, which drastically reduces urine production. So absent urine output signals significant hypovolemia and urgent need for care. The other signs don’t fit as well: normal urine output would indicate hydration is still adequate; fever suggests infection rather than dehydration; rapid weight gain would indicate fluid retention, not loss. In dehydration, especially in an infant, you’d expect little or no urine because the body is trying to preserve fluids.