A nurse in a clinic is assessing an infant who has diarrhea, is lethargic, and has dry skin. Which of the following findings indicates moderate dehydration?

A. Mottled skin: Mottled or dusky skin is more commonly associated with poor perfusion and severe dehydration or shock. Moderate dehydration typically presents with delayed capillary refill and dry mucous membranes rather than significant skin color changes. B. Capillary refill 3 seconds: A capillary refill time of about 3 seconds is consistent with moderate dehydration in infants. This finding reflects decreased circulating volume and peripheral perfusion, which commonly occurs with fluid losses from diarrhea. C. Bulging anterior fontanel: A bulging fontanel is associated with increased intracranial pressure or fluid overload. Dehydration more commonly causes a sunken fontanel due to decreased fluid volume. D. Decreased respiratory rate: Respiratory rate is not typically decreased in moderate dehydration. Infants may have normal or increased respiratory rates as a compensatory response to metabolic acidosis from fluid and electrolyte losses.