New York State Basic Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-B) Practice Exam

What condition in children is characterized by fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and sunken eyes?

1. Croup

2. Seizures

3. Hypoglycemia

4. Dehydration

The correct answer is: Dehydration

The correct answer is dehydration. This condition often arises in children due to significant fluid loss from symptoms such as fever, diarrhea, and vomiting. When a child experiences a combination of these symptoms, they are at a heightened risk of losing essential fluids and electrolytes, leading to dehydration. One of the key indicators of dehydration in children is the appearance of sunken eyes, which suggests a lack of adequate fluid volume in the body. Croup primarily presents with a distinctive cough and difficulty breathing rather than gastrointestinal symptoms, and seizures are episodic and do not typically present with these specific symptoms. Hypoglycemia, while serious, is associated with low blood sugar levels and may result in different symptoms such as confusion, irritability, or sweating, rather than gastrointestinal distress and signs of dehydration. In the case of the scenario presented, the combination of fever, diarrhea, vomiting, and sunken eyes aligns closely with the physiological changes seen in dehydration.