Which signs are consistent with moderate dehydration (8-10%)?

• A. Depressed mentation, tacky mucous membranes, capillary refill time > 2-3 seconds
• B. Cool extremities, poor perfusion, capillary refill time > 4 seconds
• C. Normal mentation and moist mucous membranes
• D. Tachycardia with sweating

Answer: (A)

Moderate dehydration (8-10%) shows enough fluid loss to affect perfusion and mucous membrane moisture without causing full-blown shock. Depressed mentation reflects reduced brain perfusion and energy supply as volume declines. Tacky mucous membranes indicate drying of mucosal surfaces from fluid loss, and a capillary refill time longer than 2 seconds signals slower peripheral blood flow. These signs together are characteristic of the 8-10% dehydration range.

Signs like cool extremities with very slow capillary refill and poor perfusion point toward more severe dehydration or impending shock, not the moderate stage. Normal mentation with moist mucous membranes suggests little to no dehydration, and tachycardia with sweating can occur with dehydration in some contexts but is not a definitive hallmark of moderate dehydration and sweating is not consistently observed across species.