The nurse is assessing a client in an outpatient clinic. Which finding would be expected for a client with fluid volume deficiency?

Choice A reason: A blood pressure of 90/42 mmHg indicates hypotension, which can occur with fluid volume deficiency. However, the heart rate of 62 beats per minute is too low to be consistent with the expected compensatory tachycardia. In hypovolemia, the body typically increases heart rate to maintain cardiac output. Choice B reason: A blood pressure of 145/92 mmHg with a heart rate of 68 beats per minute indicates hypertension, not fluid volume deficiency. This finding is inconsistent with hypovolemia, which usually causes low blood pressure and tachycardia. Choice C reason: A blood pressure of 86/42 mmHg with a heart rate of 110 beats per minute is the classic presentation of fluid volume deficiency. Hypovolemia leads to hypotension due to decreased circulating volume, and the body compensates by increasing heart rate to maintain perfusion. This combination of hypotension and tachycardia is expected. Choice D reason: A blood pressure of 162/82 mmHg with a heart rate of 114 beats per minute indicates hypertension with tachycardia. This is not typical of fluid volume deficiency, which causes low blood pressure rather than elevated blood pressure.