National Association of Boards of Long Term Care Administrator (NAB) CORE Practice Exam

Which of the following is a symptom of dehydration?

1. Difficulty walking

2. Vomiting

3. Diarrhea

4. Poor skin turgor

The correct answer is: Poor skin turgor

Poor skin turgor is a classic symptom of dehydration. When the body lacks adequate hydration, the skin loses its elasticity and when pinched, it does not return to its normal position quickly. This characteristic is often assessed by a healthcare professional during a physical examination to gauge hydration status. While difficulty walking, vomiting, and diarrhea can all be associated with dehydration, they are not specific symptoms of dehydration itself. Difficulty walking can arise from various medical conditions and not just dehydration. Vomiting can lead to dehydration but is not a direct symptom of it; it's more of a cause. Similarly, diarrhea can contribute to dehydration but also represents another condition rather than a direct symptom of dehydration alone. Therefore, poor skin turgor stands out as a clear indicator of dehydration.