CAMRT Radiography Practice Exam

Which is NOT a common method used to assess a patient's hydration status?

1. Skin turgor testing

2. Measuring blood pressure

3. Urine output measurement

4. Checking mental status

The correct answer is: Measuring blood pressure

Measuring blood pressure is generally not considered a direct method to assess a patient's hydration status. While blood pressure can be influenced by hydration levels—decreased blood volume due to dehydration may lead to lower blood pressure—it does not provide a definitive or direct measure of a person's hydration. Instead, it is more commonly used to assess cardiovascular health and monitor for various conditions. In contrast, skin turgor testing is a classic method for evaluating hydration, where the elasticity of the skin is observed; decreased turgor indicates potential dehydration. Measuring urine output is another critical method, as consistently low urine output can indicate dehydration. Lastly, checking mental status can also help identify hydration issues; for instance, severe dehydration may lead to confusion or altered mental states. Therefore, while blood pressure is important clinically, it is not a primary or isolated method for assessing hydration status.