An older patient with significant dehydration would MOST likely present with which symptom?

An older patient with significant dehydration would MOST likely present with which symptom?

• A. Nausea.
• B. Dizziness or fainting upon standing.
• C. Chest pain.
• D. Constipation.

Answer: (B)

Dehydration lowers circulating blood volume, and in older adults the body’s ability to compensate quickly is reduced. When a person who is volume-depleted stands, gravity causes more blood to pool in the legs, so venous return to the heart drops. With less blood returning to the heart, the blood pressure falls and cerebral perfusion can wane, producing dizziness and sometimes fainting. This stand-up drop—orthostatic hypotension—is a classic acute sign of significant dehydration in the elderly. Nausea can occur but is less specific, chest pain points to cardiac problems, and constipation, while possible with dehydration, isn’t the most immediate or defining symptom in this scenario.

Dehydration lowers circulating blood volume, and in older adults the body’s ability to compensate quickly is reduced. When a person who is volume-depleted stands, gravity causes more blood to pool in the legs, so venous return to the heart drops. With less blood returning to the heart, the blood pressure falls and cerebral perfusion can wane, producing dizziness and sometimes fainting. This stand-up drop—orthostatic hypotension—is a classic acute sign of significant dehydration in the elderly.

Nausea can occur but is less specific, chest pain points to cardiac problems, and constipation, while possible with dehydration, isn’t the most immediate or defining symptom in this scenario.