What sign of dehydration was evident in Hannah Johnson's initial assessment?

Warm, dry skin is a classic indicator of dehydration, particularly in pediatric patients. When a child is dehydrated, their body loses fluids faster than it can take them in, leading to reduced moisture levels in the skin. This can result in a lack of sweat production, making the skin feel warm and dry to the touch.

In the context of dehydration, warm, dry skin often accompanies other symptoms such as increased heart rate or changes in urine output, providing a more complete picture of the child's overall hydration status.

Thirst is a common sense indication of dehydration, but it's not always a reliable sign in young children, particularly if they are too lethargic or sick to express it. Increased heart rate can be seen in various conditions, including anxiety and fever, which may complicate the picture of dehydration. Similarly, high blood pressure is generally not associated with dehydration; in fact, dehydration often leads to lower blood pressure as blood volume decreases. Therefore, the presence of warm, dry skin directly reflects the physiological changes associated with dehydration and is an important sign for health care providers to monitor.