A nurse is assessing an older adult client at a health fair. Which of the following statements by the client is the nurse's priority?

Rationale:

A. Pitting edema: Pitting edema typically indicates fluid volume excess, not deficit. It occurs when there is an accumulation of fluid in the interstitial spaces, causing swelling that leaves an indentation when pressed.

B. Skin tenting: Skin tenting is a common sign of fluid volume deficit, particularly dehydration. It occurs when the skin loses elasticity due to a lack of adequate hydration, causing the skin to remain "tented" when pinched.

C. Elevated blood pressure: Elevated blood pressure is more commonly associated with fluid volume excess, not deficit. Increased fluid volume can lead to higher blood pressure due to greater circulating volume and increased vascular resistance.

D. Dyspnea: Dyspnea, or difficulty breathing, is a symptom that can be caused by a variety of conditions, including fluid volume excess, especially in the case of pulmonary edema. It is not a direct indicator of fluid volume deficit.

Rationale:

A. Loss of skin turgor: Loss of skin turgor is a sign of dehydration, not hypervolemia. Hypervolemia typically results in fluid retention, leading to other symptoms such as weight gain.

B. Weight gain: Weight gain is a common sign of hypervolemia due to the accumulation of excess fluid in the body. It is often one of the first indicators of fluid overload.

C. Hypotension: Hypotension is more commonly associated with hypovolemia (fluid deficit) rather than hypervolemia. In hypervolemia, blood pressure is more likely to increase due to the excess fluid volume.

D. Bradycardia: Bradycardia is not typically associated with hypervolemia. Hypervolemia can lead to tachycardia (increased heart rate) as the body tries to compensate for the excess fluid volume.