A nurse is assessing four clients for fluid balance. The nurse should identify that which of the following manifestations of dehydration?

Choice A reason: Active transport is not the process that allows fluid to pass through a membrane from a dilute to a more concentrated area. Active transport is the process that moves solutes across a membrane against their concentration gradient, using energy from ATP. Active transport can create or maintain a concentration difference between two sides of a membrane.

Choice B reason: Osmosis is the process that allows fluid to pass through a membrane from a dilute to a more concentrated area. Osmosis is the movement of water across a selectively permeable membrane from an area of low solute concentration to an area of high solute concentration. Osmosis can equalize the concentration of solutes on both sides of a membrane.

Choice C reason: Filtration is not the process that allows fluid to pass through a membrane from a dilute to a more concentrated area. Filtration is the movement of fluid and solutes across a membrane due to a pressure difference between two sides of a membrane. Filtration can separate solutes from fluid based on their size and charge.

Choice D reason: Diffusion is not the process that allows fluid to pass through a membrane from a dilute to a more concentrated area. Diffusion is the movement of solutes across a membrane from an area of high solute concentration to an area of low solute concentration. Diffusion can also equalize the concentration of solutes on both sides of a membrane.

Choice A reason: A client who has a urine specific gravity of 1.010 is not dehydrated. Urine specific gravity is a measure of the concentration of solutes in the urine. A normal range is 1.005-1.030, which means that the urine is neither too dilute nor too concentrated. A high urine specific gravity (>1.030) indicates dehydration, as the urine becomes more concentrated due to fluid loss. A low urine specific gravity (<1.005) indicates overhydration, as the urine becomes more dilute due to fluid excess.

Choice B reason: A client who has a hematocrit of 42% is not dehydrated. Hematocrit is the percentage of red blood cells in the blood. A normal range is 36-46% for women and 40-54% for men. A high hematocrit (>54% for men and >46% for women) indicates dehydration, as the blood becomes more viscous due to fluid loss. A low hematocrit (<40% for men and <36% for women) indicates overhydration, as the blood becomes more diluted due to fluid excess.

Choice C reason: A client who has a temperature of 39 °C may or may not be dehydrated. Temperature is a measure of the body's heat production and regulation. A normal range is 36.5-37.5 °C. A high temperature (>37.5 °C) indicates fever, which can be caused by various factors, such as infection, inflammation, or medication. Fever can also cause dehydration, as the body loses fluid through sweating and increased respiration. However, fever is not a specific sign of dehydration, as there may be other causes or contributing factors.

Choice D reason: A client who has a weight loss of 2.2 kg in 24 hr is dehydrated. Weight loss is a measure of the change in the body's mass over time. A normal range is 0.5-1 kg per week. A rapid weight loss (>1 kg per day) indicates dehydration, as the body loses fluid through various routes, such as urine, stool, sweat, or vomit. Weight loss is a sensitive and reliable sign of dehydration, as it reflects the amount of fluid loss.