What are the effects of cortisol during the stress response? (Select all that apply)

Choice A reason: Bradycardia, or slow heart rate, is not typically associated with dehydration. Dehydration reduces blood volume, triggering compensatory tachycardia to maintain cardiac output. Bradycardia may occur in severe cases with electrolyte imbalances, but it is not a primary manifestation, making this choice incorrect for dehydration.

Choice B reason: Eupnea refers to normal breathing. Dehydration does not directly alter respiratory rate unless severe metabolic acidosis occurs, prompting compensatory hyperventilation. The described symptoms suggest hypovolemia, not respiratory changes, so eupnea is not an additional manifestation of dehydration, making this choice incorrect.

Choice C reason: Orthostatic hypotension, a drop in blood pressure upon standing, occurs in dehydration due to reduced blood volume from fluid loss (e.g., diarrhea). This hypovolemia impairs the body’s ability to maintain blood pressure during positional changes, leading to lightheadedness, making this the correct additional manifestation.

Choice D reason: Elevated blood pressure is not associated with dehydration. Hypovolemia from fluid loss causes low blood pressure due to decreased cardiac output. The body’s compensatory mechanisms, like vasoconstriction, aim to maintain pressure but do not elevate it above normal, making this choice incorrect.

Choice A reason: Warm skin indicates adequate blood flow and perfusion, often seen in normal or hyperemic states. Poor perfusion, due to reduced blood flow, typically causes cool skin as less warm blood reaches tissues, making this choice incorrect for poor perfusion.

Choice B reason: Pink nailbeds reflect good oxygenation and perfusion, as hemoglobin carries oxygen effectively to capillaries. Poor perfusion leads to pale or cyanotic nailbeds due to reduced blood flow or oxygen delivery, making this choice incorrect for indicating poor perfusion.

Choice C reason: Strong pulses indicate robust blood flow and adequate perfusion, as the heart pumps blood effectively to peripheral tissues. Poor perfusion is associated with weak or thready pulses due to low cardiac output, making this choice incorrect.

Choice D reason: Pale lips indicate poor perfusion, as reduced blood flow to peripheral tissues results in less hemoglobin delivering oxygen, causing pallor. This is a classic sign of hypoperfusion, often seen in shock or circulatory compromise, making this the correct choice.