A nurse is caring for a toddler who has been vomiting for the past 8 hours.Which of the following findings indicates to the nurse that the child is dehydrated?

Choice A rationaleIncreased pulse (tachycardia) is a common sign of dehydration in toddlers. As the body loses fluids, the heart rate increases to maintain cardiac output and blood circulation to vital organs.Choice B rationaleIncreased blood pressure is not typically associated with dehydration. Dehydration usually leads to a decrease in blood volume, which can cause a drop in blood pressure rather than an increase.Choice C rationaleDistended jugular veins are more indicative of fluid overload or heart failure rather than dehydration. In dehydration, reduced fluid volume results in less prominent veins.Choice D rationaleA fat anterior fontanel is not a sign of dehydration. In dehydration, you would expect the fontanel to be sunken rather than bulging, due to the loss of extracellular fluid volume.