Which symptom is commonly associated with dehydration?

• A. Increased thirst and dry mouth
• B. Rapid, clear urine
• C. Normal skin turgor
• D. Excessive sweating with normal fluid intake

Answer: (A)

When the body loses water, thirst and dry mouth are among the most common and earliest signs. Thirst is the body's natural signal to drink fluids to restore balance, and dry mouth occurs because saliva production decreases as hydration drops. These symptoms show up before other signs become evident and are strong indicators that fluid intake may be insufficient.

In contrast, rapid, clear urine typically points to adequate hydration or even overhydration, not dehydration. Normal skin turgor suggests good hydration, whereas dehydration often presents with reduced skin elasticity or tenting. Excessive sweating with normal fluid intake describes a condition that can contribute to dehydration but is not itself a direct symptom of dehydration; it indicates a potential cause rather than a symptom.