In dehydration, the pulse may be described as?

In dehydration, the pulse may be described as?

• A. Weak and fast
• B. Strong and slow
• C. Normal and steady
• D. Irregular and slow

Answer: (A)

When dehydration occurs, circulating blood volume drops, so the heart has to beat faster to maintain blood flow to the organs. This compensatory tachycardia makes the pulse fast, but the reduced volume means each beat is weaker, so the pulse feels weak. That combination—fast and weak—best matches how the body responds to dehydration. A strong and slow pulse doesn’t fit the low-volume situation, a normal and steady pulse implies no change, and an irregular and slow pulse suggests a rhythm problem rather than dehydration.

When dehydration occurs, circulating blood volume drops, so the heart has to beat faster to maintain blood flow to the organs. This compensatory tachycardia makes the pulse fast, but the reduced volume means each beat is weaker, so the pulse feels weak. That combination—fast and weak—best matches how the body responds to dehydration. A strong and slow pulse doesn’t fit the low-volume situation, a normal and steady pulse implies no change, and an irregular and slow pulse suggests a rhythm problem rather than dehydration.