Which of the following are signs of hypervolemia?

• A. Hypotension and dry mucous membranes
• B. Tachycardia, high blood pressure, elevated filling pressures, and dyspnea.
• C. Decreased urine output
• D. Weight gain with pitting edema only

Answer: (B)

Hypervolemia is an excess of fluid in the intravascular space, which raises preload and leads to signs of fluid overload. The best indicator set includes tachycardia, high blood pressure, and elevated filling pressures (such as CVP or PCWP), reflecting the increased volume circulating in the heart and central circulation. When the pulmonary circulation is congested, dyspnea arises from pulmonary edema, and you may also see signs like edema and weight gain as fluid shifts into interstitial spaces. Dry mucous membranes and hypotension point toward hypovolemia, not overload, so they don’t fit hypervolemia. Decreased urine output can occur in various states and isn’t specific for hypervolemia, and weight gain with edema alone doesn’t capture the full picture of elevated pressures and pulmonary involvement.