Which combination of signs indicates dehydration in diabetic patients?

• A. Elevated BUN and creatinine, dry mucous membranes, and skin tenting
• B. Edema, weight gain, dyspnea
• C. High blood glucose only
• D. Fever and leukocytosis

Answer: (A)

Dehydration in diabetes mainly reflects volume depletion from osmotic diuresis caused by high blood glucose. When glucose is so elevated, the kidneys spill water with glucose into the urine, leading to fluid loss and reduced circulating volume. The best answer combines a lab clue of reduced kidney perfusion with classic physical signs of fluid loss: elevated BUN and creatinine indicate the kidneys are responding to dehydration, and dry mucous membranes plus skin that tents when pinched show reduced skin turgor from loss of body fluids.

Edema, weight gain, and dyspnea point to fluid overload rather than dehydration, so they don’t fit. High blood glucose alone doesn’t prove dehydration, and fever with leukocytosis suggests infection, not specifically dehydration.