Common signs of dehydration in older adults?

• A. Increased appetite
• B. Clear skin and high energy
• C. Fever only
• D. Dry mouth, decreased skin turgor, dizziness, confusion, reduced urine output, and dark-colored urine

Answer: (D)

Dehydration in older adults often presents as a cluster of fluid-volume deficit signs because thirst can be blunted with aging. The combination of dry mouth, decreased skin turgor, dizziness, confusion, reduced urine output, and dark-colored urine reflects both reduced circulating volume and concentrated urine. Dry mouth and low urine output show hypovolemia; dark urine indicates the kidneys are saving water; dizziness and confusion arise from lowered cerebral perfusion and electrolyte imbalance. The other options don’t capture this picture—increased appetite, clear skin and high energy, or fever-only are not characteristic signs of dehydration.