A nurse is planning care for a patient who is dizzy and lightheaded from severe dehydration over the past 72 hours. Which of the following is an appropriate nursing action?

Choice A reason: Offering oral fluids is appropriate for mild dehydration, but in cases of severe dehydration with symptoms like dizziness and lightheadedness, oral rehydration may be insufficient or unsafe due to potential nausea or impaired consciousness. IV fluid therapy is typically required. Choice B reason: Monitoring output every 6 hours is too infrequent for a patient with severe dehydration. Hourly monitoring is more appropriate to assess renal perfusion and fluid balance accurately. Choice C reason: Assessing pulse rate and quality is a priority because it provides immediate insight into cardiovascular status. Tachycardia and weak pulses are common signs of hypovolemia, and early detection can guide urgent interventions to prevent shock. Choice D reason: Infusing hypotonic IV fluids is contraindicated in severe dehydration. Hypotonic solutions can worsen fluid shifts and lead to cellular swelling. Isotonic fluids like normal saline are preferred to restore intravascular volume safely.