Mild dehydration corresponds to which percent dehydration?

• A. 5-7%
• B. 8-10%
• C. >10%
• D. 3-5%

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that dehydration severity is assessed by the percent of body weight lost from water deficit. This percentage guides how aggressively to rehydrate and what symptoms to expect.

Mild dehydration corresponds to about a 5-7% loss of body weight. At this level you’ll typically notice thirst, dry mouth, reduced urine output, and perhaps mild fatigue or lightheadedness, but mental status remains intact and most people can still drink fluids.

Lower percentages (around 3-5%) are sometimes described in various sources as mild, but in many exam contexts 5-7% is the standard range used to define mild dehydration. Higher ranges (8-10%) are considered moderate, and greater than 10% is severe, with more pronounced signs such as significant dizziness, rapid heart rate, very low blood pressure, and confusion, requiring stronger intervention like IV fluids.